Even people far from astronomy know perfectly well that there is a constellation Ursa Major in the sky, which has the shape of a bucket. Many have often seen the position of the stars of the Big Dipper in photographs and diagrams. And it seems to be a large constellation, seven bright stars, but how difficult it is to find it in the sky at night!
Instructions
Step 1
In the middle latitudes of Russia, the constellation Ursa Major is non-setting due to its proximity to the north pole of the world. It can be seen in the sky at any time of the year in the evening or at night.
Step 2
First of all, you must have a clear idea of what the constellation looks like, which you want to find among the endless number of stars in the night sky. Look for all sorts of pictures and sky diagrams in which the Big Dipper will be highlighted in some way. Note that all seven stars of the Ursa Major are bright, large and always clearly visible.
Step 3
During the year, the position of the "bucket" changes in relation to the horizon. You may need a compass to determine which direction to look.
Step 4
On cool spring nights, you can find the Big Dipper right overhead, the stars high in the sky. But closer to mid-April, the "ladle" leaves to the west. In summer, the constellation begins to slowly descend to the northwest. And already at the end of August you can see the "bucket" very low in the north, where it will stand until winter. For three months of the northern winter, the Big Dipper manages to rise high above the horizon again, moving from north to northeast.
Step 5
Please note that the position of the bucket also changes during the day. So, for example, in February in the evening you can see the "bucket" standing with the handle down in the northeast, and by morning the constellation will shift towards the northwest, and the handle of the "bucket" will turn up.
Step 6
The brilliance of the stars of the Big Dipper is inferior to almost all other constellations that can be seen at the same time, so the search for a "bucket" in the night sky should not be a particular difficulty. But it will still be the best option if you manage to get to a special observation platform or at least get out to admire the starry sky outside the city.
