[Contents], [Among the stars]

---

 

Bootes

Find the three stars in the handle of the Big Dpper and then "arc to Arcturus" which is the bright star at the base of the constellation Bootes. The name Bootes means herdsman, while Arcturus means guardian of the bear.

Bootes looks somewhat like a kite, with Arcturus where the tail would be attached. Just to its left is the Northern Crown, a little arc of stars said to have been formed when Dionysus tossed his crown into the heavens.

Here are some facts about Arcturus

• It is only 37 light years away:
• Its motion through space has carried it two moon diameters across the sky in the last 2000 years.
• It is 100 times as bright as the sun.
• Its color is deep yellow because its temperature is about 4000K, compared to the sun's 5700K