|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Big Dipper
Big Dipper Popular name for the asterism formed by the seven main stars of Ursa Major (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Eta Ursae Majoris), resembling a saucepan or ladle. An alternative name is the Plough.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Big Dipper." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Big Dipper." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-BigDipper.html "Big Dipper." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-BigDipper.html |
|
Big Dipper
Big Dip·per • n. a prominent group of seven stars in the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear), containing the Pointers that indicate the direction to Polaris. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Big Dipper." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Big Dipper." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bigdipper.html "Big Dipper." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bigdipper.html |
|
Big Dipper
Big Dipper familiar configuration of stars visible in the constellation Ursa Major (see Ursa Major and Ursa Minor ). |
|
|
Cite this article
"Big Dipper." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Big Dipper." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-BigDippe.html "Big Dipper." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-BigDippe.html |
|