The Big Dipper

Poststructural Pub
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Dubhe and Merak. I used to know the names of all the Big Dipper stars. I’ve forgotten them. I know there’s a double-star in the handle.

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I have never seen the big dipper under polaris. What latitude was the photo taken from?

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Here is a photo link with the names.


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://d1jqu7g1y74ds1.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/BIGDIP_O.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.universetoday.com/46444/big-dipper-constellation/&h=396&w=576&sz=55&tbnid=iK9k-4yDWxY6wM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=131&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbig%2Bdipper%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=big+dipper&usg=__ymzK_UAq1WlKSEo__jLva_wOwSo=&docid=qpWGycFmR7arjM&sa=X&ei=J_91Uc2HI4GV0QGZ1YDoAw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwAQ&dur=2651

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Based on the assumed horizon from the picture, I’d say it’s 40-something North. At such a latitude, those constellations would be visible in that portion of the sky during the Summer and Autumn months. Specifically, starting in June during the pre-dawn hours. Each succeeding day moves the viewing four minutes earlier. And then come November, you’d see the stars in this position during the post-dusk hours. Anytime after that (Winter and Spring) the sun is above the horizon when the stars are located as such.



Credit goes to Stellarium, http://www.stellarium.org

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