The stars of the big dipper, a well known asterism [
http://www.seds.org…] in the constellation Ursa Major [
http://www.allthesk…], are easy to recognize in this dramatic skyscape [
http://www.allthesk…]. In fact, northern hemisphere skygazers often follow along [
http://www.astropix…] the line indicated by the two stars at the far right. Extending off the top of this image, that line leads to Polaris, the North Star [
http://www.wcsscien…thenorthstar.html ], conveniently located near the north celestial pole. Following the arc [
http://www.space.co…arcturus_bootes_0205 10.html ] of the dipper's handle also leads to another well known celestial beacon [
http://www.astro.ui…arcturus.html ] of the northern sky - yet this dreamlike scene takes you instead to a shining mountaintop castle. Big Dipper Castle might be an appropriate name in this stunning view, but its traditional name is Castle Hohenzollern [
http://www.preussen…history.html ]. Poised above a sea of clouds that mute the city lights below, the castle lies in the Swabian Alb [
http://www.schwaebi…geology.htm ] range of southern Germany, an area that was once a reef in an ancient sea [
http://www.sedgwick…].
Explanation
The stars of the big dipper, a well known asterism [
http://www.seds.org…] in the constellation Ursa Major [
http://www.allthesk…], are easy to recognize in this dramatic skyscape [
http://www.allthesk…]. In fact, northern hemisphere skygazers often follow along [
http://www.astropix…] the line indicated by the two stars at the far right. Extending off the top of this image, that line leads to Polaris, the North Star [
http://www.wcsscien…thenorthstar.html ], conveniently located near the north celestial pole. Following the arc [
http://www.space.co…arcturus_bootes_0205 10.html ] of the dipper's handle also leads to another well known celestial beacon [
http://www.astro.ui…arcturus.html ] of the northern sky - yet this dreamlike scene takes you instead to a shining mountaintop castle. Big Dipper Castle might be an appropriate name in this stunning view, but its traditional name is Castle Hohenzollern [
http://www.preussen…history.html ]. Poised above a sea of clouds that mute the city lights below, the castle lies in the Swabian Alb [
http://www.schwaebi…geology.htm ] range of southern Germany, an area that was once a reef in an ancient sea [
http://www.sedgwick…].
Explanation
