Friday, January 29, 2010

Ursa Major

1) Dubhe- Alpha
2) Merak- Beta
3) Phecda- Gamma
4) Megrez- Delta
5) Alioth- Epsilon

b) History: It is commonly called the Big Dipper. The handle of the dipper is the Great Bear's tail and the Dipper's cup is the Bear's flank. According to some Native American legends, the bowl of the Big Dipper is a giant bear and the stars of the handle are three warriors chasing it.

c) Able to be seen in: Chicago, San Diego, Rome, Jerusalem, and Sydney.
d) Best seen in April
e) Right Acsension: 11 hours
Declination: 50 degrees
f) Important to the Underground Railroad which helped slaves escape from the South before the Civil War.

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