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The Big and Little Dipper: How to find them in the spring
- The Big and Little Dipper are easily visible in the northern sky in the spring for the Northern Hemisphere. The 2 outer stars in the Big Dipper point to Polaris, the North Star, which marks the end of the handle of the Little Dipper.
- Both the Big and Little Dippers are circumpolar, being above the horizon throughout the night in certain latitudes.
- The Big Dipper rotates around Polaris and changes in its position in the sky based on the season.
- To find the Little Dipper, trace a line from the outer stars of the Big Dipper to Polaris, then to the handle of the Little Dipper.
- The Big and Little Dippers are not constellations but asterisms, forming recognizable star patterns within the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations.
- Over millennia, the star patterns of the Big and Little Dippers will slowly evolve due to the movement of stars in space.
- In Mi'kmaq star lore, the Celestial Bear associated with the Big Dipper has a captivating story involving hunters and the changing seasons.
- The Little Dipper, historically part of the Draco constellation, has played a role in navigation and is tied to ancient seafaring knowledge.
- Kochab and Pherkad, stars in the Little Dipper, are found to be the Guardians of the Pole marking the north celestial pole.
- Overall, the Big Dipper and Little Dipper are iconic star formations that captivate skywatchers throughout the year, with unique stories and celestial significance.
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