Book 8, Question 15
Why Does the Big Dipper Help Find the North Star?
The Big Dipper helps because two of its stars point straight to the North Star! Follow the line they make, about five times the gap between them, and you land near Polaris. Pointer stars are a free night compass!
More fun facts
- The two 'pointer stars' at the end of the Big Dipper's cup point straight toward Polaris, the North Star.
- Polaris is part of the Little Dipper.
- Follow the line about five times the distance between the pointer stars to reach the North Star.
- Five of the Big Dipper's stars really are near each other in space and probably formed at about the same time.
- People escaping slavery in the United States found the North Star using the Big Dipper, which they called the Drinking Gourd.
- The Big Dipper is easiest to see in late winter and spring.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA Science, National Park Service
Questions kids ask
What was the Drinking Gourd?
It was a name for the Big Dipper used in songs and stories by people escaping slavery.