If you wanted an easier way to find the Big Dipper, Friday is your night. The most popular and familiar constellation of all time, The Big Dipper is overhead as twilight gives way to darkness. The constellation is at the zenith. The only challenge is that you have to crank your neck and look up, straight up.

Look at about 9 p.m. and you’ll see its familiar shape. The Big Dipper, in mythology is better known as Ursa Major, the big bear. There is so much going on this constellation. The two front stars in the dipper, at the edge farthest from the handle, point to Polaris, the Northern Star.

Wherever you live on the Vineyard, once you’ve found the North Star it will always be at that precise place: no matter where the Big Dipper resides. Follow the stars in the handle of the dipper away from the North Star and you’ll discover Arcturus, a brilliant orange star. Arcturus is one of the bright stars of spring.

The Big Dipper is a door opener when it comes to investigating the night sky. Once you know where to find this popular constellation, you can find plenty.