The Big Dipper (top) and the North Star (“Polaris,” at bottom).
One more shot from the recent Aurora borealis visible from northern Ohio.
Huh—
“Also, the Big Dipper isn’t a constellation. It’s an asterism, or noticeable pattern of stars. The Big Dipper is a clipped version of the constellation Ursa Major the Greater Bear. And the stars of the Big Dipper outline the Bear’s tail and hindquarters.
“The Little Dipper is also an asterism, these stars belonging to the constellation Ursa Minor the Little Bear.” —EarthSky.org
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...