What constellation is the Big Dipper (seven shining navigation stars)?

The Big Dipper, also known as the "seven shining navigation stars", is a very important constellation in ancient astronomy in China. It is composed of seven bright stars, with a unique shape, and is considered as the seven compasses in the sky. In ancient navigation and navigation, the position and direction of the Big Dipper were widely used to guide the navigation direction.

The shape and position of the Big Dipper.

The shape of the Big Dipper presents a spoon-shaped pattern, which consists of a brighter star and six darker stars. These seven stars represent the seven spokes of the Beidou car, so they are also called "Beidou car". The Big Dipper is located in the sky in the northern hemisphere, very close to the North Star, so the position of the Big Dipper is often used to determine the north.

How to find the big dipper

It is not difficult to find the Big Dipper, as long as you know some basic navigation skills. Here are some simple steps to help you find the Big Dipper:

Find Polaris. Polaris is the brightest star in the Big Dipper. It is located at one end of the Big Dipper, far away from other stars in the Big Dipper.

Observe the stars around Polaris. Around Polaris, you will find some brighter stars, which are the other six stars of the Big Dipper.

The stars connecting the Big Dipper. Connect the Big Dipper with imaginary lines, and you will find that they form a spoon-shaped pattern.

Through the above simple steps, you can find the Big Dipper!

Application of the Big Dipper in Ancient Navigation

The Big Dipper played a very important role in ancient navigation. In the era without modern navigation equipment, people need to rely on astronomical observation to determine the direction of navigation. The position and direction of the Big Dipper can help people determine the north, thus guiding the navigation direction.

Ancient navigators and explorers often used the Big Dipper to navigate. They observe the position of the Big Dipper, and then determine their sailing direction according to the position and direction of the stars. The Big Dipper becomes their compass in the vast sea, helping them reach their destination safely.