Astronomy Picture of the Day -- The Big Dipper

NASA ^ | June 24, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: The best known asterism in northern skies, The Big Dipper is easy to recognize, though some might see The Plough. Either way, the star names and the familiar outlines will appear in this thoughtfully composed 24 frame mosaic when you slide your cursor over the image. Dubhe, alpha star of the dipper's parent constellation Ursa Major is at the upper right. Together with beta star Merak below, the two form a line pointing the way to Polaris and the North Celestial Pole off the top edge of the field. Notable too in skygazing lore Mizar, second star from the left in the dipper's handle, forms a vision-testing visual double star with apparently close Alcor. Also identified in the famous star field are Messier catalog objects. Download the higher resolution image to hunt for exquisite views of some of Messier's distant spiral galaxies and a more local owl.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit/Copyright: Rogelio Bernal Andreo]

[SunkenCiv]

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[I still care]

That’s neat.

[beebuster2000]

bumpity

[BigCinBigD]

There's a great BBQ joint on Mizar II.

[Larry Lucido]

You got the scoop on this one!

[60Gunner]

I used either Merak or Dhube (the “pointer stars”) in celestial navigation training. That was many years ago, in another life for me...

[cripplecreek]

Great photo today.

[left that other site]

Thanks...That one’s kinda...romantic! :-)

[TheOldLady]

Thanks Civ. That’s a nice visit with an old friend.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

Oooo....Pretty!

[SunkenCiv]

I was thinking more along the lines of Jethro Tull.

[left that other site]

Sitting on the park bench...};=)