Spring is a time for renewal and it's also the time when the Big Dipper is it's most brilliant. 

The seven stars of the Big Dipper are probably the most recognized, and they're hard to miss this time of year due to no dust in the sky. The Dipper is also part of a larger constellation called Ursa Major or the Great Bear constellation.

You can use the Big Dipper to find the North Star. The Old Farmers Almanac says to find the 2 stars on the left of the bowl and follow the line down. They point to the North Star. It's just as bright as the stars in the Big Dipper and finding the North Star with this method is more accurate than a compass.

Did you know that other cultures don't consider the Big Dipper a ladle? They say it's a vehicle with wheels or a carriage. According to Space.com, it's called a Plough in the United Kingdom.

Take a look at the Big Dipper from photos taken right here in CNY.


Bonus Video:

[Information from Space.com and The Old Farmers Almanac]

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