WELCOME TO STAR HUSTLERS OR IS IT STAR GAZERS OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE?

I'’’M TRACE.

THE BIG DIPPER IS ONE OF OUR MOST FREQUENTLY REFERENCED STAR PATTERNS.

BUT, LIKE MANY THINGS IN THE WORLD (AND THE NIGHT SKY) ITS HAD MANY NAMES.

HIT THE DARKNESS AT AROUND 11PM AND LOOK NORTHWEST.

THE DIPPER HAS SEVEN STARS AND IS PART OF THE CONSTELLATION URSA MAJOR, THE GREAT BEAR.

THE BOWL HAS FOUR STARS, DUBHE, MERAK, PHECDA AND MEGREZ, WHILE ALIOTH, MIZAR AND ALKAID MARK THE HANDLE.

A DIPPER IS LIKE A LADLE, BUT FOR DRINKS.

I'’’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF IT AS A SAUCEPAN, MYSELF BUT IN GERMANY THESE STARS ARE CALLED THE GREAT WAGON.

IN IRELAND IT'’’S THE FARMER'’’S PLOW.

IN SOME WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES IT'’’S A DRINKING GOURD THAT NAME WAS BROUGHT TO THE AMERICAN SOUTH WHERE THE DRINKING GOURD HELPED PEOPLE NAVIGATE NORTHWARD TO FIND FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY.

ENJOY THE SUMMER SOLSTICE THIS WEEK, AND KEEP LOOKIN'’’ UP!