If you look at it without tons of light and air pollution, as the ancient Greeks would have, there are so many stars you can make a constellation look like anything you want.
Yup. While the bear with a tail is still kind of weird, Ursa major is one of the least weird constellations. “The Big Dipper” is an “asterism” according to the grad students at the planetarium I took my daughter to.
If you look at it without tons of light and air pollution, as the ancient Greeks would have, there are so many stars you can make a constellation look like anything you want.
I still don’t see a bear. Which way is it facing?
To the right. Muscida is its nose.
The tail is a bit long and it’s missing an arm.
Yup. While the bear with a tail is still kind of weird, Ursa major is one of the least weird constellations. “The Big Dipper” is an “asterism” according to the grad students at the planetarium I took my daughter to.
Also it at least used to be identified as a medieval push hoe.
Isn’t it also known as “The Plow” in some parts?
bear lore from Björn