What constellation is the big dipper in?

Finding the Big Dipper in the night sky is the easiest way to find Polaris, the North Star, located in the constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. The Big Dipper rotates around the north celestial pole, and always points the way to the North Star. read more

The asterism of the Big Dipper (shown in this star map in green) lies within the constellation of Ursa Major. The Big Dipper or the Plough is an asterism consisting of seven bright stars of the constellation Ursa Major; six of them are of second magnitude and one, Megrez (δ), of third magnitude. read more

The Big Dipper is an asterism in the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear). One of the most familiar star shapes in the northern sky, it is a useful navigation tool. Asterisms are prominent groups of stars that form patterns but are smaller than, or even part of, a constellation. read more