Ursa Major - Revision history

Sushoff at 12:57, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T12:57:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 27 February 2026
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	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.		<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.

	The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.		The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.

Sushoff: /* Stars Mentioned */

2026-02-20T11:42:51Z

Stars Mentioned

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 20 February 2026
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	No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.		No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.

	====== ~~'''~~Stars Mentioned~~'''~~ ======		====== Stars Mentioned ======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!

Sushoff: /* Etymology and History */

2026-02-20T11:40:55Z

Etymology and History

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 20 February 2026
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	[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg\|alt=map\|thumb\|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]		[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg\|alt=map\|thumb\|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]
	One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the [[:Category:BigDipper\|Big Dipper]] (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them.		One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the [[:Category:BigDipper\|Big Dipper]] (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them. In Dutch and French a saucepan or casserole. For the Navajo, an indigenous people of the North American West, it represents seven human figures.

	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.		The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.

	The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. In British English, the pattern is still called ‘plough’ today, in American English and Chinese it is a ladle, and in Dutch and French a saucepan or casserole. For the Navajo, the indigenous people of the North American West, it represents seven human figures. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.		The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.

	In a time when there was no bright star at the north celestial pole, seafaring peoples used this asterism for navigation because it runs quite close to the pole. At that time, the direction was not so important in astronavigation at sea, because ships always sailed close to the coast and could see land from time to time. The fact that Strabo's Greek geography book describes all the countries of the then known world not only by their position relative to the sun in winter and summer, but also by characteristic animals, explains the name of this constellation: basically, the star figure could also be called a dog, mouse or fox, because its outline can only be recognised as ‘some kind of animal’. However, as this constellation indicates the direction north, i.e. the ‘land of bears’ or the climate zone where bears live, the name was prefigured by the geographical aspect.		In a time when there was no bright star at the north celestial pole, seafaring peoples used this asterism for navigation because it runs quite close to the pole. At that time, the direction was not so important in astronavigation at sea, because ships always sailed close to the coast and could see land from time to time. The fact that Strabo's Greek geography book describes all the countries of the then known world not only by their position relative to the sun in winter and summer, but also by characteristic animals, explains the name of this constellation: basically, the star figure could also be called a dog, mouse or fox, because its outline can only be recognised as ‘some kind of animal’. However, as this constellation indicates the direction north, i.e. the ‘land of bears’ or the climate zone where bears live, the name was prefigured by the geographical aspect.

Sushoff: /* Stars Mentioned */

2026-02-20T11:37:21Z

Stars Mentioned

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:37, 20 February 2026
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	\|		\|
	\|Lib II Cap V §10		\|Lib x Cap y §10
	\|		\|
	\|		\|

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-20T11:36:57Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 20 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

			====== Rising and Setting ======
	No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.		No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.

Sushoff: /* Stars Mentioned */

2026-02-20T11:36:23Z

Stars Mentioned

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
+|
 |Lib II Cap V §10
+|
+|

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-20T11:24:44Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 20 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====
			No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.

			====== '''Stars Mentioned''' ======
			{\| class="wikitable"
			!
			!Greek
			!German
			!English
			!ident.
			!src
			!
			!lam_culm
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|Lib II Cap V §10
			\|
			\|
			\|}

	===== Geminos =====		===== Geminos =====

Sushoff at 11:22, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T11:22:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:22, 20 February 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:
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	[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg\|alt=map\|thumb\|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]		[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg\|alt=map\|thumb\|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]
	One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the Big Dipper (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them.		One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the [[:Category:BigDipper\|Big Dipper]] (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them.

	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==

Sushoff at 11:21, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T11:21:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 20 February 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:
	----		----
	[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg\|alt=map\|thumb\|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]		[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg\|alt=map\|thumb\|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]
	One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]].		One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the Big Dipper (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them.

	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	The Greek ~~constellation ..~~.		The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.

			The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. In British English, the pattern is still called ‘plough’ today, in American English and Chinese it is a ladle, and in Dutch and French a saucepan or casserole. For the Navajo, the indigenous people of the North American West, it represents seven human figures. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.

			In a time when there was no bright star at the north celestial pole, seafaring peoples used this asterism for navigation because it runs quite close to the pole. At that time, the direction was not so important in astronavigation at sea, because ships always sailed close to the coast and could see land from time to time. The fact that Strabo's Greek geography book describes all the countries of the then known world not only by their position relative to the sun in winter and summer, but also by characteristic animals, explains the name of this constellation: basically, the star figure could also be called a dog, mouse or fox, because its outline can only be recognised as ‘some kind of animal’. However, as this constellation indicates the direction north, i.e. the ‘land of bears’ or the climate zone where bears live, the name was prefigured by the geographical aspect.

			In Mesopotamia, the bright stars were regarded as The Chariot. However, it has not yet been clearly established where the other Babylonian chariot, the Chariot of Heaven, is located. The suggestion that the two Babylonian constellations ‘Wagon’ and ‘Wagon of Heaven’ are located in the places of the Greek Ursae seems quite possible based on Aratus' mention. However, this is not well documented due to a lack of rise and set data. It has also been suggested that the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ also refers to the Big Dipper in the constellation Ursa Major, rather than designating another constellation. The chariot is so important to the Mesopotamians because it is the seat of one of their most important gods: the god of agriculture, Enlil.

	=== Origin of Constellation ===		=== Origin of Constellation ===

	==== Babylonian ====		==== Babylonian ====
			see

			* [[MAR.GID2.DA\|<sup>mul (giš)</sup>MAR.GID2.DA, ''eriqqu'']]
			* [[MAR.GID2.DA.AN.NA\|<sup>mul (giš)</sup>MA.GID2.DA AN.NA, ''eriqqu ša šamê'']]

	==== Greco-Roman ====		==== Greco-Roman ====
Line 1,036:		Line 1,045:
	=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===		=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

	== Greek Mythology ==		== Greek Mythology<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2021). Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam, Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart</ref> ==
			According to Hesiod, the Great Bear was the daughter of Lycaon of Arcadia and went hunting with the goddess Artemis. After being seduced and impregnated by Zeus, she managed to hide this for a long time. It was only when she took a bath shortly before or during the birth that the goddess saw her and, in her anger, transformed her into a bear. She gave birth to a son who was named Arkas. The name can be linked, in folk etymology, to both the Greek word for bear, ‘arktos,’ and Arcadia, so that Arkas can be stylised as the progenitor of the Arcadians. Hesiod's story vividly describes a female initiation rite of undressing (for bathing). If the undressed woman is already pregnant, the initiation is superfluous.

			Eratosthenes then describes another event: the bear and her cub were hunted on the mountain by goat herders and finally handed over to King Lycaon. When the animal entered the cella of the temple of Zeus, it (unintentionally) broke a law and was sentenced to death along with its offspring. Zeus, however, abducted them and placed them among the stars.

			Aratos presents an alternative story: the bear is Kynosura, one of Zeus's nurses. Zeus was raised in a cave in Crete because his mother hid him from his father. Bees fed him honey, a goat fed him milk, and several other animals and mountains defended him and offered him protection. They were all personified as nymphs, and the bear-like nymph Kynosura was placed in the sky out of gratitude.

	== Star Names ==		== Star Names ==

Sushoff: /* Stars within the Constellation Area */

2026-02-05T14:08:22Z

Stars within the Constellation Area

Show changes