Astronomy Picture of the Day -- The Big Dipper Enhanced

NASA ^ | March 17, 2015 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Do you see it? This common question frequently precedes the rediscovery of one of the most commonly recognized configurations of stars on the northern sky: the Big Dipper. This grouping of stars is one of the few things that has likely been seen, and will be seen, by every human generation. In this featured image, however, the stars of the Big Dipper have been digitally enhanced -- they do not really appear this much brighter than nearby stars. The image was taken earlier this month from France. The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. Although part of the constellation of the Great Bear (Ursa Major), the Big Dipper is an asterism that has been known by different names to different societies. Five of the Big Dipper stars are actually near each other in space and were likely formed at nearly the same time. Relative stellar motions will cause the Big Dipper to slowly change its apparent configuration over the next 100,000 years.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit and Copyright: VegaStar Carpentier]

[SunkenCiv]

and for that matter, March the Mad Scientist.

[SunkenCiv]

2015 APoD Calendar

There is no "the big one" today. How sad. ;')

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[9thLife]

I see more of a stick-figure Michael Jackson doing his move.

[latina4dubya]

I see more of a stick-figure Michael Jackson doing his move.

i see it!

[rarestia]

[Yo-Yo]

I see more of a stick-figure Michael Jackson doing his move.

If that is the case, I shudder to think what the Little Dipper represents.

[CrazyIvan]

“I see more of a stick-figure Michael Jackson doing his move.”

Molesting the little dipper?

[VanDeKoik]

Ok, now that puts most astrophotos to shame.

[mikrofon]

What Constellation am I ?

[TheOldLady]

There is a “big one” on the APOD site, Mr. Civilizations.

It has a bunch of weird names for the stars when you cursor over the image.

Thank you, as ever, for the post and ping.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[9thLife]

+ and RIP.