Ursa Minor

Description

Ursa Minor is famous for containing Polaris, the North Star, which marks almost exactly the celestial north pole. The "Little Dipper" is fainter than its larger counterpart but equally important for navigation.

Mythology and History

Ursa Minor represents Arcas, son of Callisto, also transformed into a bear and placed in the sky with his mother. The Phoenicians used it for navigation, calling it "the Dog's Tail".

How to Observe

Circumpolar from the northern hemisphere. Polaris is found by following the Merak-Dubhe line of Ursa Major about 5 times its distance.

Main Stars