Ursa Minor (Little Bear)

• The constellation – Ursa Minor is a group of seven bright

stars similar to the Ursa Major. The group of stars are
commonly called the ‘Little Dipper’.
• The handle of the Dipper is the Little Bear's tail and the
Dipper's cup is the Bear's flank.
• Ursa Minor is one of the 48 constellations identified by the
Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the second century.
• The Pole star is a part of this constellation (AKA Polaris, The
North Star).
• The Pole star was the most important star for navigating at
sea.
• The Indian name of this constellation is Laghu Saptarishi.
 Cassiopeia
• Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky named after the
vain queen Cassiopeia.
• It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century
Greek astronomer Ptolemy.
• Easily recognizable due to its distinctive ‘W or M' shape, formed
by five bright stars.
• It is visible in the northern sky during winters in the early part
of night.
• Cassiopeia is the 25th largest constellation in the night sky.
• The brightest star in the constellation is Schedar.