20 



OUR PHYSICAL WORLD 



through them is extended toward the Pole it leads to Polaris, 

 now the polestar, situated not exactly at the North Pole but very 

 near it. This star is at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper, 

 which is made up of rather faint stars so that it is visible only on 

 very clear nights. The Little Dipper is included in the figure 

 of the Little Bear. The star in the middle of the handle of the 

 Big Dipper is an interesting double, both stars of which are 



FIG. 7. Ursa Major, the Big Bear 



visible to the naked eye. They are named Mizar and Alcor, 

 the Horse and Rider. 



If the curved line made by the stars of the handle of the Big 

 Dipper be extended for about the length of the Dipper, handle 

 and all, it leads to a star of the first magnitude, Arcturus, 70 

 from the Pole, and this locates Bootes the Hunter, who is follow- 

 ing the Bears (Fig. 8). North of Arcturus and somewhat to the 

 east is a kite-shaped figure that is also included in Bootes. 



