What are the names of the stars in the big dipper?

In: Galaxies and Constellations

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Starting from the handle, the main stars in the big dipper are Alkaid, Mizar and Alcar (an optical double star), Alioth, Megrez, then down to Phecda, across the bottom to Merak, and finally up to Dubhe on the lip. If you extend a line from Merak up through Dubhe about three times the distance, you will find Polaris, the North Star.

NOTE: THE ABOVE HAS AN ERROR.

The last sentence should read "If you extend a line from Merak up through Dubhe FIVE TIMES THE DISTANCE, you will find Polaris the North Star.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper (Section "Guidepost")

First answer by Joepoidog. Last edit by Rhanford. Contributor trust: 8 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 74 [recommend question]

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