Key Points Ursa Major is a constellation, which is a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern traditionally named after its apparent form or identified with a mythological figure. It is one of the most famous constellations in the night sky and is also known as the Great Bear. Ursa Major contains the asterism known as the Big Dipper, which is one of the most easily recognizable patterns in the sky. The Big Dipper's "pointer" stars can be used to find the North Star (Polaris), making it ... 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] Ursa Major , in astronomy, a constellation of the northern sky, at about 10 hours 40 minutes right ascension and 56° north declination. It was referred to in the Old Testament (Job 9:9; 38:32) and mentioned by Homer in the Iliad (xviii, 487). The Greeks identified this constellation with the nymph 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 […]
