Ursa Major - Asterisms

Asterisms

The seven brightest stars of Ursa Major form the asterism known as the Big Dipper in the United States and Canada, or the Plough in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Another asterism is recognized in Arab culture, a series of three pairs of stars:

• ν and ξ Ursae Majoris, Alula Borealis and Australis, the "first leap";
• λ and μ Ursae Majoris, Tania Borealis and Australis, the "second leap";
• ι and κ Ursae Majoris, Talitha Borealis and Australis, the "third leap".

These stars are found along the southwest border of the constellation.