Proper motion of Ursa Major (Big Dipper)

Thread starter tony873004
Start date Oct 18, 2015
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Major Motion

In summary, proper motion is the apparent motion of a star in the sky caused by its actual motion through space. It is measured through astrometry by comparing its position over a period of time and cannot be observed with the naked eye. Proper motion is important for studying the movement of stars in our galaxy and the structure and dynamics of our galaxy as a whole. The proper motion of Ursa Major (Big Dipper) is relatively small compared to other stars, but can still be observed and measured over time.

Oct 18, 2015

tony873004

Science Advisor

Gold Member

Here's a YouTube I made showing the evolving shape of the Big Dipper over 300,000 years. Present-day is roughly in the middle of the video.

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Oct 20, 2015

DaveC426913

Gold Member

Did you also post this on Cosmoquest?
Or was that a different tony873004?

Last edited: Oct 20, 2015

Oct 20, 2015

tony873004

Science Advisor

Gold Member

In a parallel universe exists another tony873004 and DaveC426913.

Related to Proper motion of Ursa Major (Big Dipper)

1. What is proper motion?

Proper motion is the apparent motion of a star across the sky, caused by its actual motion through space.

2. How is proper motion measured?

Proper motion is measured by comparing the position of a star in the sky over a period of time, usually several years. This can be done through astrometry, which is the precise measurement of the positions and motions of objects in the sky.

3. Can proper motion be observed with the naked eye?

No, proper motion is too small to be observed with the naked eye. It can only be detected through precise measurements and observations using instruments.

4. Why is proper motion important?

Proper motion allows us to study the movement of stars in our galaxy and understand more about their individual motions and the structure and dynamics of our galaxy as a whole.

5. How does the proper motion of Ursa Major (Big Dipper) compare to other stars?

The proper motion of Ursa Major (Big Dipper) is relatively small compared to other stars, as it is a relatively close group of stars in our own galaxy. However, over a long period of time, its proper motion can still be observed and measured.