How did the Big Dipper get its name?

The Big Dipper got its name from the outline of its major stars; the outline resembles a large ladle or dipper. The Big Dipper is known by many other names across the world.

The Big Dipper is one of the most familiar group of stars in the Northern Hemisphere. Often mistaken for a constellation, it’s actually an asterism. It consists of seven stars and is part of the constellation Ursa Major.

The Big Dipper played a major role in the Underground Railroad. Since the Big Dipper is easy to find and its position stayed the same throughout the year, slaves used the Big Dipper to locate the North Star on their journey to freedom.