Constellations

Wide field shots of our sky show stars and objects in our Milky Way.  Sometimes a galaxy may sneak in but every star you see is in our own galaxy.

Don't forget you can click on many of the pictures
Big-Dipper-lvl-P3080141.jpg
The Big Dipper - probably the most famous asterism in the sky.

Above is an 8 second shot and close-up of the Big Dipper taken in Bastrop State Park.  Below is Ursa Major (the Big Bear, which includes the Big Dipper) taken in Poplar Bluff Missouri.  In both pictures you can see that Mizar (in the handle) is a double star.  Sharp-eyed people can see the double star without any optical aid.
Ursa Major (includes Big Dipper - and Alex)
P5120077---Ursa-Major.jpg
Alex is a star that Jessica officially named (it's registered). 30 second shot.

As you can see the Big Dipper is upside down from the previous picture.  It rotates from season to season.  The two top stars in the bowl of the dipper always points to the North Star though (Polaris).  Polaris is in Ursa Minor which is also known as the Little Bear.  
 
I hope that Great Big Bear doesn't bother Alex!  He looks hungry (the bear that is).  Maybe he is looking for food for the Little Bear.    

Draco the Dragon
P5120078-Draco.jpg
Moving from west to east, notice where the Little Dipper is now

The Great Bear and now a Dragon are closing in on Alex.  Where is our Hero!?!?  Can Alex be saved?

Hercules, the Hero
P5120079---Hercules.jpg
Stay tuned to see if our hero slays the dragon...

Here comes Hercules, to save the day (or maybe the night)!  Alex is safe once again, hooray.