General presentation

The constellation of Ursa Major is one of the most famous and easily recognizable constellations in the night sky. It has been used for centuries as a landmark by travelers, navigators and astronomers. Ursa Major is particularly known for containing the Great Chariot, a group of seven bright stars often confused with the entire constellation. Thanks to its exceptional visibility and bright stars, Ursa Major is often one of the first constellations learned by beginners. It allows in particular to easily locate the North Star and the constellation of Ursa Minor.

Shape of the Ursa Major constellation

Its shape is rarely perceived as that of a bear by modern observers. The best known part is the Great Chariot, formed by seven bright stars. Four of these stars are shaped like a saucepan or cart, while three others form a curved handle. This figure is very easy to recognize even in a moderately bright sky. When we connect the less bright stars of the constellation, we can imagine the elongated body of the bear. For many observers, the Big Dipper looks more like a large pot or cart.

Stars of the Ursa Major constellation