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Mr. R.

The BIG BEAR (Ursa Major)

The most recognizable asterism in the sky is the Big Dipper. Test your eyesight by looking for two stars in the middle of the handle (Mizar & Alcor).  The Romans used this to test a soldiers ability to see. Merak and Dubhe (pronounced like Scooby) are called the pointers.  If you trace a line going out of the bowl, about 5X there distance away, you'll find the North Star. If you have a clear night with an unobstructed view north, you can sometimes see the entire Big Bear.  Start with the Big Dipper and trace the rest. Ursa Major is circumpolar, meaning it never sets below the horizon.  Even during a single viewing night you can see it rotate partially around the North Pole. Photo credit: Space.com

HELPFUL LINKS TO "CONSTELLATION" INFORMATION
    Absolute Astronomy.com Choose your desired constellation
    The Dome Information on constellations, their stars, and starlore
    Allthesky.com Constellation photos, deep sky objects, observatories, etc.
    John & Janet's (Amateur Astronomy) Actual photos of constellations
    Teletrade Used telescopes and equipment (If he ain't got it, you don't need it!)
    PAS (Peorea Astronomical Society) Constallations info galore
    A Practical Guide to Astronomy Very educational site
    KidsAstronomy.com STARS--Red, yellow, blue, orange...