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Ursa Major
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Big Dipper Constellation Finder tool displaying labeled constellations in the Northern Hemisphere, with a circular star map and search options on the left. M82 (NGC 3034), irregular galaxy in Ursa Major. This photograph is a combination of three images taken in blue, yellow-green, and red light, January 1983. M81, spiral galaxy in Ursa Major Figure 7: Omega Centauri (M3), the most imposing globular cluster in the Milky Way Galaxy. M101, spiral galaxy in Ursa Major Diagram showing the seven main stars of the Big Dipper-Merak, Dubhe, Phecda, Mizar, Alkaid, Alioth, and Megrez-labeled with their names and distances from Earth in light-years, with lines connecting each star to Earth and a blue plane illustrating the constellation's apparent shape as seen from 50 light-years away.
Quizzes
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)
Stars: Explosions in Space

Ursa Major: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: IOPscience - The Astrophysical Journal - Ursa Major: A Missing Low-Mass CDM Halo? Sep 26, 2026
Added media. May 14, 2026
Add new Web site: NSF NOIRLab - Ursa Major. Nov 13, 2025
Add new Web site: IOPscience - The Astrophysical Journal - Ursa Major: A Missing Low-Mass CDM Halo? Nov 14, 2024
Add new Web site: University of Chicago - Ursa Major, the Greater Bear. Jul 26, 2024
Add new Web site: The Nine Planets - Ursa Major Constellation. Sep 15, 2023
Add new Web site: Academia - Ancient Egyptian Astronomy: Ursa Major�Symbol of Rejuvenation. Jul 21, 2023
Add new Web site: The Planets - Ursa Major Constellation � Features and Facts. May 26, 2023
Add new Web site: NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory - Ursa Major. Nov 14, 2019
Add new Web site: Space.com - Ursa Major Constellation: Everything you need to know about the Great Bear. Jun 15, 2019
Add new Web site: Royal Museums Greenwich - Ursa Minor and Polaris. Mar 11, 2013
Photo of Big Dipper added. Mar 08, 2011
Updated discussion of Ursa Major moving group. Added information about the brightness of Dubhe. Added mention of Mizar and Alcor. Aug 23, 2010
Added new Web site: Buzzle.com - Astrology. Feb 17, 2009
Added new Web site: Buzzle.com - Astrology. Feb 17, 2009
Added new Web site: Spartacus Educational - Plain Indian. May 01, 2008
Added new Web site: Swinburne University of Technology - COSMOS - The SAO Encyclopedia of Astronomy - Quasar. Apr 29, 2008
Added new Web site: Coldwater Community Schools - The Constellation - Ursa Major. Apr 28, 2008
Added new Web site: Kidipede Science for Kids - Hydrogen. Apr 28, 2008
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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