Ursa Major

Ursa Major

Abbreviation:
UMa
Genitive:
Ursae Majoris
Translation:
The Greater Bear
Right Ascention:
11h 0m
Declination:
50°

According to some Native American legends, the bowl of the Big Dipper is a giant bear and the stars of the handle are three warriors chasing it. During autumn the constellation is low in the evening sky, so it was said that the hunters had injured the bear and its blood caused the trees to change color to red.

Stars in this Constellation

NGC Objects in this Constellation