Image by Cattleya Flores Viray. Visit our June 2012 planet guide!
The chart at the top of this post shows the legendary Big Dipper, now high in the north during the evening hours. It’s one of the most familiar star patterns in the sky because its shape really resembles a dipper.
Less familiar – and tougher to find – is the Little Dipper. Here’s how you can find it.
First, locate the Big Dipper in the northern sky during the evening hours. Notice that the Big Dipper has two parts: a bowl and a handle. See the two outer stars in the bowl? They’re known as The Pointers because they point to the North Star, which is also known as Polaris.
Once you’ve found Polaris, you can find the Little Dipper. Polaris marks the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. You need a dark night to see the Little Dipper in full, because it’s so much fainter than its larger and brighter counterpart.
Look for the Big Dipper high in the north at nightfall!
Today's moon - June 9, 2012 - from our wonderful friend VegaStar Carpentier in Paris. Thank you, VegaStar!
Click here to expand image above
