The Big Dipper, also known as the Plough or the Saptarishi (after the seven rishis), is an asterism of seven stars that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial. The component stars are the seven brightest of the formal constellation Ursa Major.
The North Star (Polaris), the current northern pole star on Earth, can be located by using it. Polaris is part of the "Little Dipper", Ursa Minor.
Read more about Big Dipper: Stars, Guidepost, Cultural Associations
Famous quotes containing the word big:
“What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or in a marble tower on top of a high hill? You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that. Oil and water were the same as wind and air to you.”
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959)