Ursa Major is also called the Big Dipper and is a characteristic constellation of a northern sky. It is called this because the stars present are arranged like a wagon.
It is one of the 88 constellations decided by astronomers to divide the sky, the best month to observe it is April.
Among the main stars stand out:
- The Big Dipper
- Alioth
- dubhe
- Merak
- Alcor
- Mizar
- Lalande 21185
What if we told you that you too can have a star in this constellation? The Big Dipper will welcome your name or that of a person you love with a click on the site and you will be able to see it in a few seconds. Thanks to the Online Star Register, each registration is connected to a unique code that will help you locate your star. Explore the details of the star and see the name, date, color and other details about the star.
H2 Ursa Major: Greek Mythology
It is known that myths and legends are always present in any story and even when we talk about stars. In Greek mythology, Ursa Major represents the nymph Callisto, the muse of Artemis, goddess of hunting. Nymphs had the obligation to never marry. Legend has it that Zeus fell in love with Callisto and married her in secret, later they had a son, Arcas.
When Artemis discovered the affair, she transformed Callisto into a fat and clumsy bear with a curse. Arcade in the meantime grew up and became a skilled and courageous hunter who wanted to defend the nymphs at all costs and followed the bear's tracks to kill her, not knowing that she was his own mother.
But Zeus, who knew the matter very well, did not allow the realization of such a dramatic act and transformed all the characters into stars, divided into the group of the Big Dipper. Thus this constellation was born. His son Artemis, instead, became the Little Dipper.
Again Hera, Zeus' wife, enraged by the betrayal, expressed her curse. The two constellations could never find peace, that is, set, but had to wander like this in the Universe.
The other version of the myth concerns other characters. Always Zeus, would have transformed Icarius into a Great Bear. He was killed by some farmers, because they believed that the man had killed their companions, while they were just drunk. His daughter Erigone, with her faithful dog Maira, went to look for him and when she found his tomb she hanged herself. Zeus transformed Icarius into the constellation of Bootes, Erigone into that of Virgo and Maira into that of the Dog.
Article published on 16 February 2022 - 13:20
Video Chronicles
