Last night was the first night in a few days to have a really clear view of the night sky. Unfortunately the waxing quarter moon dominated the starscape.
The first constellation I was able to recognize was Ursa Major. The term ursa major is latin for "great bear". Many distinct civilizations saw a bear, including the Greeks and Native Americans. I will tell you the Greek story of Ursa Major.
Apollo had a sister named Artemis. Artemis was more than a little crazy. She was basically a nun in that she was eternally a virgin and demanded that her pupils (young girls) also never ever have sex with anyone.
At the opposite end of the spectrum we have Zeus, a real playboy in ancient mythology. Zeus seduced one of Artemis' young companions, a young woman by the name of Callisto. Callisto became pregnant and Artemis banished her.
Callisto is not done being punished for Zeus' crimes however. Zeus' wife Hera turns Callisto into a bear after Callisto gives birth to Arcas. One day while Arcas is out hunting he nearly shoots his mother in bear form. Zeus intervened at the last moment by placing them both in the Heavens. Callisto is Ursa Major and her son Arcas is Ursa Minor.
Ursa Major is one of the largest objects in the northern hemisphere. It is also one of the most important to newcomers of astronomy such as myself as it makes a great sign post. The edge of the "cup" of the "Big Dipper" as some like to call Ursa Major points straight to the tail of Ursa Minor. The tail of Ursa Minor is the most important star of celestial navigation in the northern hemisphere. It is Polaris the "North Star".
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