How to Find the Little Dipper from the Big Dipper

Gaze into the sky on a clear night, and if is dark enough you should be able to see innumerable stars dotting the inky expanse. Some constellations may pop out as you study the sky, including the Big Bear and the Little Bear (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor). Portions of these constellations are the well-known Big Dipper and Little Dipper. Find the Little Dipper from the Big Dipper when you learn how the stars connect in a straight line.

Instructions

1. Stand in an area with as little artificial light as possible, and look up into the northern sky.

2. Look for a formation of brighter stars that stands out from the other stars, which will appear dimmer and smaller. Seven stars comprise the Big Dipper, and they resemble a drinking ladle.

3. Concentrate on the two stars that form the outer edge of the dipper. These stars are the "pointer stars" (given this name because you can use them to point to Polaris).

4. Extend a straight line from the two pointer stars to find Polaris (the North Star). Polaris is the end star on the handle of the Little Dipper.

Tips & Warnings

• The position of the Big Dipper in the sky depends upon time of the year and the time of the night as you look at the sky. If you live in North America, the Big Dipper is visible year-round in the sky. During the winter months, the Big Dipper is at its lowest point on the northern horizon. During the spring season, the Big Dipper is visible in the northeastern sky. During the summer, find the Big Dipper high in the northern sky. During the autumn, look for the Big Dipper on the northwestern horizon soon after sunset.

• The Big Dipper and Little Dipper are not constellations, but rather they are asterisms that are part of other constellations.

References

• Astropix: The Big and Little Dippers
• Project Astro: The Big Dipper Star Clock