Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1892 — The “Big Dipper.” [ARTICLE]

The “Big Dipper.”

In astronomy the “Big Dipper,” so called, is in the constellation of Ursa Major or the Great Bear. The stars forming the tail of the bear also form the handle of the dipper. The first star in the handle is Benetnasch; the second Mizar; the third Alioth. The other four, which go to form the bowl of the dipper are Megres, Phad, Merak, and Dudhe. The two last are called “The Pointers,” because they point or .guide the eye to the pole star, which 3s. distant 29 degrees. The top stars are 10 degrees and the bottom ones 8 degrees apart.