Why does the big dipper have 7 stars?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

It's not seven stars - it's a star cluster containing millions of stars. It's just from Earth it looks like seven points of lights.