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Credit & Copyright: VegaStar Carpentier
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.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Big Dipper - asterism
Publications with words: Big Dipper - asterism
See also: