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Credit & Copyright: Stephane Vetter
(Nuits sacrees,
TWAN)
Explanation:
The best known asterism in northern skies, The Big Dipper is
easy to recognize, even when viewed upside down,
though some might see a
plough
or wagon.
The star names and the familiar outlines appear
framed in the ruined tower walls of the French
Chateau
du Morimont if you
just slide your cursor over the image or follow
this link.
Dubhe,
alpha star of the dipper's parent constellation Ursa Major is at
the lower left.
Together with beta star
Merak
the two form a line pointing the
way to Polaris and
the North Celestial Pole, hidden from view by the stones.
Since the image was captured on March 30,
you can follow a line from
dipper stars Phecda and Megrez to spot the faint greenish glow of
Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak
below center, still within the castle eye view.
The periodic comet made a remarkable close
approach
to planet Earth on April 1.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Big Dipper
Publications with words: Big Dipper
See also: