Learn how to find the Great Bear constellation and its asterism, the Big Dipper, in the Northern Hemisphere sky. Discover its brightest stars, deep-sky objects, mythology and more. Ursa Major is the “Great Bear” and one of the traditional Greek constellations described in Ptolemy of Alexandria’s 2nd century compilation of 48 constellations. The Big Dipper is called the Northern Dipper in ancient China and the Wagon in ancient Mesopotamia. Ursa Major , the Great Bear, is a large, clearly visible constellation visible for the entire northern hemisphere, particularly during the spring and summer. For most stargazers in the northern hemisphere, the constellation is circumpolar and can be seen year-round. The constellation contains numerous stars and deep sky objects for the seasoned astronomer to appreciate, but […] Ursa Major , also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation in the Northern Sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. Its Latin name means "greater (or larger) bear", referring to and contrasting it with nearby Ursa Minor, the lesser bear. [1]
