THE LARGE DIPPER 



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still more amazed. It will help you to get some idea 

 of the velocity of light when you think that as you have 

 taken five steps across an ordinary room, light has traveled 

 a distance equal to about twenty times the circumference 

 of the earth. 



The North Star. One star which has guided many 

 travelers is the North Polar Star (Polaris). When we see 

 it, let us remember that the light which enters our eyes 

 left that star about forty-seven years ago. Since this 

 star is practically in line with the axis of the earth, and 

 all other stars keep the same relative positions, with re- 

 spect to the North Star, there is during the rotation of the 

 earth each twenty-four hours an apparent rotation of all 

 of the other stars in the sky about Polaris as a center. 

 This fact makes it of exceptional value to the traveler. 



The Large Dipper. One of the most conspicuous star 

 groups or constellations is the Large Dipper, or Great 

 Bear, as it is sometimes 

 called. If you are just 

 learning to locate some 

 of the more prominent 

 stars and star groups, 

 the Great Dipper is one 

 you should locate first. 

 From that you can find 

 the North Star (Polaris) 

 and then work out to 

 other groups. If you will 

 examine the diagram, 



you will find that a line drawn from the two stars at the 

 end of the Dipper points directly toward Polaris, hence, 

 they are called the " Pointers." 



Which two stars are the " Pointers"? 



