Big Dipper

The Big Dipper is an "asterism" -- a group of stars that forms an easy-to-see pattern, but that's not a constellation in its own right. It forms the body and tail of the constellation Ursa Major, the big bear. The Big Dipper is found in the northern sky, and the outer stars in its bowl can be used to "point" to Polaris, the North Star.

Radio Programs

 Dueling Dippers Stirring up the starry night sky Friday, February 10, 2012
Moving Dipper A stellar family spreads out Friday, February 25, 2011
Changing Skies Looking forward to the Big Handivac Thursday, February 24, 2011
Dubhe Skies as different from ours as night and day Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Alkaid The "leading" star of the Big Dipper Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Celestial Clock Ticking off the hours of the night Monday, January 31, 2011
Mizar and Alcor Galloping across the northern sky Saturday, June 19, 2010
Boötes Plowing a furrow among the stars Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Alkaid Getting a handle on the Big Dipper Sunday, May 9, 2010
Double Dippers Dipping into the mythology of the sky Saturday, April 3, 2010
Closest Black Hole? A record-setting stellar neighbor Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Stellar Landmarks Navigating across the night sky Saturday, July 4, 2009
Spinning Dipper The never-setting Big Dipper Sunday, June 28, 2009
Distant Dubhe A light from the 19th century Saturday, June 13, 2009
Big Dipper Dipping toward the northern horizon Sunday, November 9, 2008
Gemma A sibling to the Big Dipper Saturday, May 17, 2008
Moving Dipper Dipping into a stellar family Friday, March 28, 2008

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