The Little Dipper

When you gaze at the night sky, one of the easiest star groups to find is the Big Dipper. Trace a line through the outer stars of the Big Dipper’s bowl, and you will find Polaris, the North Star. Once you find Polaris, you should be able to find the other dipper in the sky, the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper is made up of seven stars. Four stars outline its small bowl. Three stars form the handle. Polaris is the last star in the Little Dipper’s handle. The Little Dipper is not a true constellation, which is a formation of stars that has been given a name. The Little Dipper is an asterism, a group of stars that is part of a larger constellation.

Polaris is the bright star on the tip of the little Dipper’s handle.View Larger Image

© Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis