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[[Image:Ursa Major constellation detail map.PNG|325px|thumb|right|Big Dipper map]] | [[Image:Ursa Major constellation detail map.PNG|325px|thumb|right|Big Dipper map]] | ||
The '''Plough''' or the '''Big Dipper''' is an [[wikipedia:asterism (astronomy)|asterism]] of seven [[star]]s that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial. The comprising stars are the seven brightest of the formal [[constellation]] '''[[wikipedia:Ursa Major|Ursa Major]]'''. | The '''Plough''' or the '''[[wikipedia:Big Dipper|Big Dipper]]''' is an [[wikipedia:asterism (astronomy)|asterism]] of seven [[wikipedia:star|star]]s that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial. The comprising stars are the seven brightest of the formal [[wikipedia:constellation|constellation]] '''[[wikipedia:Ursa Major|Ursa Major]]'''. | ||
==Names and lore== | ==Names and lore== | ||
[[Image:Changchun-Temple-Jiazi-Dian-0347.jpg|thumb|right|The Hall of the Big Dipper in a [[wikipedia:Taoism|Taoist]] temple, [[Wuhan]]]] | [[Image:Changchun-Temple-Jiazi-Dian-0347.jpg|thumb|right|The Hall of the Big Dipper in a [[wikipedia:Taoism|Taoist]] temple, [[Wuhan]]]] | ||
Throughout eastern Asia, these stars compose the '''Northern Dipper'''. They are colloquially named "''The Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper''": | Throughout eastern Asia, these stars compose the '''Northern Dipper'''. They are colloquially named "''The Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper''": | ||
:*{{zh|c=北斗七星 |p=běidǒu qīxīng}}; | :*{{zh|c=北斗七星 |p=běidǒu qīxīng}}; | ||
:*[[Japanese language|Japanese]]: 北斗七星, ''hokutoshichisei''; | :*[[wikipedia:Japanese language|Japanese]]: 北斗七星, ''hokutoshichisei''; | ||
The seven stars are very important in [[Taoist]] [[astrology]]. | The seven stars are very important in [[Taoist]] [[astrology]]. | ||
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[[Image:BigDipper-guide.PNG|260px|right]] | [[Image:BigDipper-guide.PNG|260px|right]] | ||
Not only are the stars in the Big Dipper easily found themselves, they may also be used as guides to yet other stars. Thus it is often the starting point for introducing Northern Hemisphere beginners to the [[night sky]]: | Not only are the stars in the Big Dipper easily found themselves, they may also be used as guides to yet other stars. Thus it is often the starting point for introducing Northern Hemisphere beginners to the [[wikipedia:night sky|night sky]]: | ||
*[[Taikyokusei|Polaris]], the '''North Star''', is found by imagining a line from Merak (β) to Dubhe (α) and then extending it for five times the distance between the two '''Pointers'''. | *[[Taikyokusei|Polaris]], the '''North Star''', is found by imagining a line from Merak (β) to Dubhe (α) and then extending it for five times the distance between the two '''Pointers'''. | ||
*Crossing the top of the bowl from Megrez (δ) to Dubhe (α) takes one in the direction of [[Capella (star)|Capella]] (α [[Gosha Sei|Auriga]]). A mnemonic for this is ''"Cap to Capella."'' | *Crossing the top of the bowl from Megrez (δ) to Dubhe (α) takes one in the direction of [[wikipedia:Capella (star)|Capella]] (α [[Gosha Sei|Auriga]]). A mnemonic for this is ''"Cap to Capella."'' | ||
Additionally, the Dipper may be used as a guide to telescopic objects: | Additionally, the Dipper may be used as a guide to telescopic objects: | ||
*The approximate location of the [[Hubble Deep Field]] can be found by following a line from Phecda (γ) to Megrez (δ) and continuing on for the same distance again. | *The approximate location of the [[wikipedia:Hubble Deep Field|Hubble Deep Field]] can be found by following a line from Phecda (γ) to Megrez (δ) and continuing on for the same distance again. | ||
*Crossing the bowl diagonally from Phecda (γ) to Dubhe (α) and proceeding onward for a similar stretch leads to the bright galaxy pair [[Messier 81|M81]] and [[Messier 82|M82]]. | *Crossing the bowl diagonally from Phecda (γ) to Dubhe (α) and proceeding onward for a similar stretch leads to the bright galaxy pair [[wikipedia:Messier 81|M81]] and [[wikipedia:Messier 82|M82]]. | ||
*Two spectacular spiral galaxies flank Alkaid (η), the [[Messier 101|Pinwheel]] (M101). to the north, and the [[Messier 51|Whirlpool]] (M51), to the south. | *Two spectacular spiral galaxies flank Alkaid (η), the [[wikipedia:Messier 101|Pinwheel]] (M101). to the north, and the [[wikipedia:Messier 51|Whirlpool]] (M51), to the south. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||