Make Your Own Fantasy Big Dipper Objective: To encourage students to exercise their fantasy in coming up with their own version of an asterism using the Big Dipper, seven stars borrowed from the Big Bear (Ursa Major), one of the most well known constellations. Background: The night sky is full of constellations, which were formed by ancient peoples who made patterns out of the stars. People from other cultures have interpreted constellations according to their own interests. The most well known group of stars in the northern hemisphere is the Big Dipper. It is made up of seven stars that are part of the constellation the Big Bear. This is a special group as it can be seen on any clear night in the night sky. Other examples of such so-called circumpolar constellations are the Little Dipper (the Little Bear) and Cassiopeia. The Big Dipper has also been likened to a saucepan, a wagon and a Sami bow and arrow (see the three illustrations that follow below). Procedure: Have the students use the included sheet with the Big Dipper’s seven stars to come up with their own new interpretation of this famous grouping. Some may wish to write a short story, create a poem, or even write a song using their own Big Dipper as a source of inspiration.

© 2006 Cosmonova, Swedish Museum of Natural History