most prominent and well known to all, without exception, the constellation is, of course, the Big Dipper.Or rather, is clearly visible in the night sky is not she, and her part - the Big Dipper.If well accustomed, the bottom and right of it you will notice a few stars that make up the legs and head of Ursa.The shape of this constellation have really very interesting.After all, no one has ever seen bears with such long tails.
most visible part of the constellation
number of bright stars in the Big Dipper is known to all.They are exactly seven.The name of this star rating given Arab astronomers in the Middle Ages.To our ears their "names" sound really strange:
- Merak.
- Mizar.
- Fegda.
- Megrez.
- Dubge.
- Aliot.
- Benetnash.
On the ground, these stars appear to be equidistant.In fact, far from it.Number of bright stars in the Big Dipper - seven and they are all from Earth and the Sun is not at equal distances.
closest to our planet is Benetnash.Prior to the most distant stars - Alioto - sixty light years.However, it looks brighter Benetnash.This is a bright and shiny object Dipper.Apparently the intensity of the emitted light of all the stars of the Big Dipper close to the stars of the second magnitude.
Interesting facts
If you really look closely at one of the stars of the Dipper - Mizar, can be seen right outside her faint glimmer.The reason is very simple.Mizar - no ordinary star and a double.
object, located right next to it, called Alcor.With these two words of Arabic translated as "horse" and "rider".Alcor and Mizar - one of the most visible from Earth binary stars.
number of bright stars in the Big Dipper - seven.However, if you look at it through binoculars or a telescope, you will see two small smear of light.Unlike the stars, they look fuzzy and blurred.So look from the Earth distant galaxies.Located in Bear inside called Whirlpool and Pinwheel.
rotation of the Big Dipper
The fact that our earth does not stand still, it is known to any schoolboy.As a result of its movement, it seems that the stars in the sky revolve.It is not an exception in this regard and the bucket.In winter and autumn, the Big Dipper is located in the northern part of the night sky, not too far from the horizon.In the spring and summer, the most conspicuous constellation can be seen almost at the zenith.And at this time of year, the Big Dipper appears inverted.
Heavenly compass
Thus, the number of bright stars in the Big Dipper - exactly seven.Two of them can serve as a guide for those who are in the way.The fact is that it is easy to discover the world's most famous star - Polaris.Make it easy.We just need to draw an imaginary line on the two outer stars of the Dipper bowl.Further it should measure approximately the distance between them.North Star is very little above the North Pole.
In ancient times, when there were no navigational instruments, namely it served as a landmark for all sailors and travelers.So, if you suddenly find yourself in a difficult situation in an unfamiliar area - look at the Big Dipper.Pole Star, found on it will show you the way to the north.This small and not very bright object in the sky is far more than once rescued lost in the taiga, in the desert or in the sea.Polestar led nearest neighbor Ursa Major - Ursa Minor.Field position both "animals" is considered by astronomers circumpolar classification.
How many stars in the Big Dipper
Of course, the stars of this constellation is much more than the most visible part - the bucket.At the moment they are about 125. It's over a hundred bright objects against which the Sun would look small and dim point of light.The closest one star to the Earth, unfortunately, not even visible to the naked eye.The names she also does not have.By astronomical classification it goes as the star of 7.5 m.The light from it to Earth is approximately 8.25 years.This is almost twice that of the closest stars to us - Alpha Centauri.Thus, the answer to the question about how many stars in the Big Dipper, is simple - more than one hundred and not all of them can be seen without a telescope or binoculars.To see into the bucket of a wild animal with a long tail, in fact, need to have enough imagination.
Legend of the Big Dipper
course of such notable objects of the night sky as the stars of the constellation Ursa Major, can not but be many different kinds of myths and legends.The most famous legend about it was invented by the Greeks.Chroniclers tell of this ancient country that was once the king of Arcadia was remarkably beautiful daughter Callisto.And so the girl lifted up his appeal that dared to compete with the hero, the wife of Zeus.The angry goddess, using its mystical power, of course, revenge arrogant woman, turning her into a bear.Returns this time with hunting son Arcas Callisto saw the doors of the palace of the wild beast, I decided to kill him.However, at the last moment he stopped himself indifferent to the beauty of Zeus.After rescuing Callisto was raised to the sky.The stars of the Big Dipper - this is it.At the same time the supreme god of the sky and raised his beloved dog beauties.Today it is known as the Little Dipper.
nearest constellation
stars in the constellation Ursa Major, or rather in its bucket - the most visible in the night sky.However, besides the Little Dipper, in the area there and a few well-known constellations.A reference point for finding one of them may be the same as the North Star.Behind her, on the opposite side of the Big Dipper, about the same distance, color familiar to many by name Cassiopeia.Outwardly, it looks like a constellation of Russian letter "M".At some locations of the Earth Cassiopeia "flips" and becomes Latin W.
between her and Little Dipper can be seen not as noticeable, but also not unknown constellation Cepheus.Clearly visible form, it does not matter.Between the Big and Little Dipper is easy to see and writhing dragon.The chain of its stars is easily connected by a broken line on the map.
Well, hopefully we have answered the main question article about how many objects there are constant glowing in Ursa Major.The ladles are only seven.The basic constellation includes about 125 distant "suns".
