0
The constelation known as the Big Dipper in USA or Ursa Major (to give it's correct name) is a collection of 7 Stars and is one of the most recogised and easily spotted contellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
It has many other names. In the UK it is called the Plough, in Germany Großer Wagen or "great wagon", Carlswæn or wagon.
The Big Dipper actually has 7 bright stars, but it is made up of a total of 7 stars. The brighter stars form the "bowl" of the dipper, while the fainter stars make up the "handle." The number of stars that make up the Big Dipper is just a coincidence based on their arrangement in the sky.
Actually, it has eight! The middle star in the "handle" of the Big Dipper is Mizar. Julius Caesar, the legend goes, used this star as an "eye test", because there are actually TWO stars there. The second star, Alcor, is almost exactly on the same line of sight from Earth, but are not a binary star; they are separated by 3 light years.
But many questions about "why" something about astronomy is so are pointless; we observe the fact, without knowing yet if there is any reason for it. The Big Dipper isn't a single unit; each star is separate, and they all move in their own directions. In a million years, each star will have moved so that they will no longer form any shape that might be suggestive to us primitive humans.
The Big Dipper is part of a larger constellation called Ursa Major (the Big Bear). There are 7 "stars" visible . They are Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrz, Phecda Dubhe, and Merak. Mizar is actually a multiple star system that includes the star Alcor, that is also visible. There are other stars in the Big Dipper that cannot be seen. They are M51, M101, M106, M108, and M97.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are the greek names for the stars of the big dipper?
The Greek names for the stars of the Big Dipper are as follows: Alkaid Mizar Alioth Megrez Phecda Dubhe Merak
Where are the stars in the constellation the big dipper?
Inside the constellation
Is the big dipper a consalation?
No, the Big Dipper is a constellation.Constellation means stars together and from Earth they appear in the same part of the sky but from another place in the galaxy the might not.
Are big dipper and ursa major different constillations?
No, the Big Dipper is a prominent asterism within the constellation Ursa Major. Ursa Major is the constellation, while the Big Dipper is a recognizable group of stars within that constellation.
What is the life expectancy of the big and little dipper?
Both the Big Dipper and Little Dipper are patterns of stars within the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations, respectively. These constellations have been visible in the night sky for thousands of years and will continue to be visible for many more years to come. Their "life expectancy" is essentially indefinite as they are not physical objects with a specific lifespan.
What is the common name for this group of 7 stars?
The Big Dipper
What is the total number of stars in the little-dipper?
7 same as the big dipper just smaller
How Many Stars Are In Big Dipper?
The big dipper has 7 visible stars. There are really 8 but only 7 can be seen with the naked eye :P
How many stars make up the big dipper?
The Big Dipper is made up of seven stars. It is also called "Plough" or "Ursa Major." Besides the seven visible stars, there are said to be two "attendant" stars which are invisible.Viewed left to right, the stars are named:AlkaidMizarAliothMegrezPhecdaMerakDubhe
How many stars form the big dipper's bowl?
The bowl of the Big Dipper is formed by four stars: Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, and Megrez. The handle of the Big Dipper consists of three stars: Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid.
What are the three major stars that make up Big Dipper?
The three major stars that make up the Big Dipper are Dubhe, Merak, and Phecda. These stars form a part of the Ursa Major constellation and are easily recognizable due to their brightness and arrangement in the sky.
How many stars fill the bowl of the Big Dipper?
The bowl of the Big Dipper is made up of four stars.
How cold and or hot is the big dipper?
The Big Dipper consists of several stars. Stars are the hottest thing there is.
Why Dr Stevan Dipper name the big Dipper?
because when he looked at the sky he saw the stars he connected the stars and he connected one and he called it big dipper because he was the first one to discover the big dipper.
The exact 7 stars in the big dipper?
The seven stars in the Big Dipper, also known as the Plough, are Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Phecda, Dubhe, and Merak. These stars are part of the Ursa Major constellation and can be easily seen in the northern sky.
What is the magnitude of the Big Dipper?
About second to third magnitude apparent brightness are the 7 stars of the big dipper in Ursa Major. As such, it is a relatively well known constellation because its stars are noticeable and recognizable for being in general not faint.
What is the big dipper made out of?
Stars
