Finding Constellations From the Big Dipper

Nearly anyone can find the Big Dipper in the sky (known as “The Plough” in Britain and “The Drinking Gourd” in Africa, part of Ursa Major). But did you know that by using the stars of the Big Dipper as pointers, you can locate several other constellations?

CASSIOPEIA

GEMINI

Castor

Pollux Polaris URSA MINOR The Little Dipper

The Big Dipper Regulus

BOOTES LEO, the Lion

Arcturus

Many people are familiar with the trick of using the two stars at the front of the Big Dipper (Merak on the bottom, Dubhe on top) as pointers to Polaris, the North Star. When you are facing Polaris, you are always facing due north. Polaris is actually part of the handle of the Little Dipper, which is the constellation Ursa Minor.

By following the curve of the Dipper‘s handle, you can “arc to Arcturus”. Arcturus is part of Bootes, the Herdsman.

Using the stars at the bottom of the Dipper (Phecda and Merak), you can locate Castor, one of the twins of Gemini (Pollux, the other twin, is right next to it).

By drawing a line from Megrez and Phecda at the handle end of the bowl, you can easily find Regulus, part of the constellation Leo, the Lion.

And finally, using Alkaid at the end of the Dipper’s handle and drawing a line through Polaris, you arrive at Cassiopeia, which is often called “The Big W” although it can also appear as a 3, M, or E, depending on its orientation.

And now, where before you could only see one constellation, you can see six. Have fun finding others!

2003, Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site