The seven brightest stars of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, form this well-known asterism which is known as the Big Dipper. Photograph by Jamie Cooper.

Mizar, a star in the Big Dipper's handle, has a tiny companion. This star, Alcor, was known to the ancients. The pair was popularly known as the "Horse and Rider." ...

The bright constellations of winter have departed in the west, while the stars of spring are climbing the eastern and southern skies.

The Big Dipper is one of the most famous star groupings and one that nearly all stargazers instantly recognize. Notice I didn’t call it a “constellation,” because it’s not a constellation.

As the winter stars start fading from sight, skywatchers can switch their focus to the trusty Big Dipper stars and the constellation Ursa Major.

Some of my earliest stargazing memories involve the same seven stars. Whether you call it the Plough or the Big Dipper – or even the saucepan, the panhandle or the wagon – the stars that form ...

Then trace a line from Alula Borealis - the star closer to the Big Dipper - to the bright star Capella in the constellation Auriga in the north western sky. Along this path you will find the ...

This week on Star Watch, you will slowly be able to see the moon get a little fuller each night as well as a chance to see the constellation the Big Dipper. As we head through the overnight tonigh… ...

My top picks include: the Perseus Double Cluster, the Pleiades, the Hyades, the star Sirius and the constellation Orion. Another well-known and easy to find object is the Big Dipper asterism.

Astro Bob: Summer stroll under Big Dipper Arcturus and the Big Dipper make fine companions on a summer night walk. Face west at nightfall to find the Big Dipper and its steadfast companion Arcturus.