Explore the Universe - Ursa Major

I like searching out constellations as it can be done with a simple pair of binoculars.  As with all constellation maps I limited my search to the Bayer classified stars.  However, in the case of Ursa Major I included 23 UMa to keep the familiar pattern of a large bear.

Ursa Major is probably one of the most well known constellations in the entire sky.  It is the third largest constellation and contains familiar asterisms.  The Big Dipper is almost universally known throughout the world.  Seven bright stars form the pattern of a ladle or plow with the two end stars pointing to the North Star, Polaris.  Another lesser known asterism is the Three Leaps of the Gazelle.  There are three pairs of bright stars throughout the bottom portion of the constellation that form the two feet and paw of the bear.  In the Arab world these pairs represent a gazelle leaping from spot to spot.  See if you can see this the next time you are out and want to point out something other than the Big Dipper.

The bear has been associated with Ursa Major since the Paleolithic age through oral tradition.  There is an interesting Roman myth associated with Ursa Major.  Jupiter transgresses his vows to his wife Juno with a young woman named Callisto.  His wife Juno discovers this affair and their love child Arcas.  In her wrath she transforms Callisto into a giant bear.  While out hunting, her son Arcas, unaware of her new identity, tries to shoot her with an arrow.  Jupiter protects her by turning Arcas into a bear and placing them in the sky as Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

The bear myth runs throughout Native American Iroquois tradition.  They believe the first three stars in the 'handle' of the Big Dipper are hunters out to catch the big bear.  The first star (hunter) carries a bow in order to take down the bear.  The second star (hunter) carries a giant pot (represented as the optical double star Alcor) to cook the bear.  The third star (hunter) carries the firewood in order to cook their meal.

It is also believed that verse 9:9 and 38:32 of Job in the Old Testament refers to Ursa Major.  In the original Hebrew, the word is 'Ayish which means a wain, wagon or cart.  The Big Dipper has also been referred to as Charles' Wain and was translated as 'Arcturus' in the Bible.

The observation mapping is shown below.

Ursa Major Observation Record

If you are outside in the evening look for the Big Dipper.  Also, take the time to look for the entire image of the bear and you'll be surprised how large it actually is!