The Big Dipper is a part of a larger constellation called the Ursa Major, or the Great Bear. The Great Bear lies north East of Polaris, the North Star. Everywhere in the world where Polaris can be seen, it always lies north. This is special because all the other stars seem to rotate around Polaris, including the great bear. Polaris is actually the end star of the handle to Ursa Minor, (the Little Dipper.)
Mythological Background of the Great Bear:
According to Greek Myths, Zeus saw the entrancing nymph, Kallisto and fell in love with her. Unfortunately for Zeus, Kallisto was a follower of the virgins, Diana the huntress, being the leader. Zeus acted as Diana and managed to make love to Kallisto. When the virgins were taking a bath, Diana noticed that Kallisto was pregnant and she sent her away. But even worse then this, Zeus�s wife, Hera found out and turned Kallisto into a bear. Years had passed by when Kallisto returned, still a bear, and saw her son, Arkas. Arkas didn�t recognize Kallisto and even tried to kill her for is own protection. Zeus saw this, and took them both, placed them in the sky, as neighboring constellations. When Hera saw Kallisto glittering in the sky, she was very furious and angry. She went down to Thethys and Oceanos and told them the whole story about what had happened. Hera asked them for a favor: never to let the bear touch the water.
Until this day, in the Northern Hemisphere, the bear, Kallisto never reaches the water.
