Question

In which of the following months, the Great Bear constellation can be seen clearly in the northern part of the sky at night?
A. October
B. December
C. April
D. June

Answer 1

Hint: Ursa Major (also known as the Great Bear) is a constellation in the northern sky with prehistoric mythology linked with it. Its Latin name means "greater (or bigger) she-bear," a reference to and contrast with Ursa Minor, the smaller bear, which is located nearby. It was one of Ptolemy's original 48 constellations, which he recorded in the 2nd century AD. It is now the third most populous of the 88 contemporary constellations.

Complete answer:
Ursa Major is most known for its primary seven stars' asterism, which has been dubbed the "Big Dipper," "the Wagon," "Charles' Wain," and "the Plough," among other titles. The Big Dipper's stellar arrangement, in particular, resembles the form of the "Little Dipper." Dubhe and Merak are two of its stars that can be utilised as navigational pointers to the present northern pole star, Polaris in Ursa Minor.

Ursa Major, as well as the asterisms that include or constitute it, is important to many civilizations across the world, typically as a symbol of the north. Its representation on Alaska's flag is a current illustration of this symbolism.Most of the northern hemisphere can see Ursa Major all year, and it appears circumpolar above mid-northern latitudes. The primary asterism is not visible from southern temperate latitudes, although the southern portions of the constellation can still be seen.

During the summer months of April and May, the Great Bear constellation may be seen plainly in the northern sky at night. The constellation was depicted in European star charts with the Big Dipper's Square' creating the bear's body and the chain of stars forming the Dipper's "handle" as a lengthy tail.

Hence option C is correct.

Note: In Hinduism, Ursa Major is known as Saptarshi, with each of the seven stars, Bhrigu, Atri, Angiras, Vasishtha, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu, symbolising one of the Saptarshis or Seven Sages. Lord Vishnu's gift to the young sage Dhruva is explained by the fact that the two front stars of the constellations point to the pole star.