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Ursa Minor Research Papers

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My Cherished Constellation is Ursa Minor, also known as the little dipper. I have always been drawn to Ursa Minor because I have a series of moles on my leg that, as a child, I would play “connect the dots” on and discovered it looked a lot like the little dipper. I also had a special connection to the Ursa Minor constellation because it is often depicted as the little bear and bears are one of my favorite animals. Ursa Minor is the 56th constellation in size and contains one of the brightest stars and most significant stars in the sky, the North Star (or Polaris). This constellation belongs to the Ursa Major family of constellations, which includes such constellations as Draco, Leo, Lync, Corona Borealis and Ursa Major. Ursa Minor is a really interesting constellation with a historical and astrological connections.

There is an unknown fourth myth as to how Callisto and her son Arcas were thrust up into the sky as mother and son, big and little, major and minor bear. Callisto was one of the most beautiful nymphs and though she had sworn a vow of chastity, Zeus could not resist her. After an affair with Zeus, Callisto gave birth to a beautiful son named Arcas. Arcas loved to hunt and would wander around in the woods dreaming of hunting and killing all sorts of animals. Artemis, who never forgave Callisto for destroying her virginity with Zeus, always kept a watchful and slightly vengeful eye on little Arcas. As he grew older, he became …show more content…

The stars of Ursa Minor may not always be as bright as some of the other stars in the sky but Ursa Major will always be connected and the light of the North Star will always be there to anyone who looks up and needs a little guidance A little dipper, a little bear, a little bright light, Ursa Minor is a little something

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