Ursa Menor
Little Dipper (Ursae Minoris)
Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, is one of the most important constellations for navigation, containing Polaris, the North Star. Also known as the 'Little Dipper,' it has served as an essential guide for travelers and sailors throughout human history. Polaris sits almost exactly at the celestial north pole, making it appear stationary while all other stars rotate around it.
📜 Mitologia
Ursa Minor represents Arcas, the son of Callisto and Zeus. After his mother was transformed into a bear by Hera, Arcas was raised to become a skilled hunter. During a hunt, he encountered his mother without recognizing her and was about to kill her when Zeus intervened, placing both mother and son among the stars. The Little Bear's tail points to Polaris, forever guiding travelers north.
💡 Fatos curiosos
- ✦Polaris is located less than 1 degree from the true celestial north pole
- ✦Due to Earth's axial precession, Polaris hasn't always been the North Star - different stars take this role over a 26,000-year cycle
- ✦Polaris is actually a triple star system, with the main star being a Cepheid variable