![]() The other constellations that we can see only during some time of the year are called seasonal constellations. It never sets below the horizon because it is near the celestial pole, either south or north. So, it is a good thing to review some concepts beforehand!Ī circumpolar constellation is a constellation that we can see throughout the year. Understanding the Little Dipper asterism also means understanding its constellation and stars. In the night sky, we can also find the North Celestial Pole with the help of Polaris and the Little Dipper asterism. It is a sensitive point that moves over time depending on the magnetic changes in the Earth’s core.Ī magnetic compass helps us find North, but what it actually points to is not the True North, but the North Magnetic Pole of our planet. The North Magnetic Pole is what our compass locates. The Earth’s North Pole is also called the True North Pole to tell it apart from the North Magnetic Pole. The stars we can see from the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere rotate in the North Celestial Pole. Some constellations can be seen in the Northern Sky while the others are unique in the Southern Sky. Just like the Earth, the celestial sphere is divided by its equator forming the north celestial hemisphere (Northern Sky) and the south celestial hemisphere (Southern Sky). We can think of the Earth as a smaller ball inside this bigger ball. ![]() It was a concept made so that astronomers can be guided in locating the position of the objects we see in the sky. The celestial sphere is not a real sphere. To understand the North Celestial Pole, it is better to know what the celestial sphere is. It is the northernmost point of our planet where its axis of rotation meets its surface. When talking about compass and directions, it is called the True North Pole. The North Pole is also called the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole. The concept of the North is used in different aspects, so it helps us understand our sky better if we review them. In learning about the Little Dipper asterism and the sky in general, we come across “the North” many times. They are called the Pointer stars because they help us spot the North Star, Polaris. First, we need to find the two stars at the end of the Big Dipper bowl. We can also use the Big Dipper to find the North Star in the Little Dipper. Its asterism really forms like a bear, and the Big Dipper is just a part of it forming its hindquarters and tail. It is also called the Plough in other places. This is a much bigger constellation than Ursa Minor. The Big Dipper is from the neighboring constellation of Ursa Major or the Great Bear. We can see that the stars on the tail of the little bear form the handle of the little dipper. This bear appears upside down in the night sky depending on our location. Ursa Minor is also called the Little Bear. The Little Dipper is a part of the constellation Ursa Minor. Four of these stars form the bowl of the dipper or the dipper’s cup. Their name came from their resemblance to this kitchen utensil:īoth asterisms are formed by seven stars. Each of them is a part of a bigger constellation. The Little Dipper and the Big Dipper are two of the most famous asterisms in the night sky. Little Dipper and Big Dipper: Which is Which? The Little Dipper asterism helps us find the North Celestial Pole, so it is like our celestial compass! Let us know more about it. It provides us practical help in finding our direction. One of the most important asterisms is the Little Dipper. They are as interesting as the constellations themselves because they can help us in many ways. Finding Our Way to the North: The Little Dipper Asterism as Our Celestial CompassĪsterisms are patterns that we can form if we try to connect the stars to one another.
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