June 2012 Constellation of the Month: Bootes

The arc of the Big Dipper's handle points to the kite-shaped constellation called Bootes.  At the bottom of the kite is the very bright star Arcturus, which is just south or southwest of directly overhead during June.  In Greek mythology, Bootes is either the Hunter or Herdsman – hunting or herding the bear represented by the Big Dipper (Ursa Major, or Big Bear in Latin).  In June 2012, there are two bright planets Saturn and Mars, which are south and west of Arcturus, in the nearby constellations Virgo and Leo, which was our May 2012 Constellation of the Month.

Arcturus is the 2^nd brightest star visible from earth's northern hemisphere, after Sirius, which is in our April 2012 Constellation of the Month, Canis Major.  It just edges out the very bright Vega, in the constellation Lyra, northeast of Bootes.  Arcturus appears orange to the naked eye, and it is classified as a red giant – which is what our sun will become in about 5 billion years, as it nears the end of its life.

There are no exciting nebulae or galaxies in Bootes, but there are some nice double stars which can be seen as such in binoculars.  The best of these is named Izar, or epsilon Bootis.  It has an orange giant close to a white dwarf.  It was given the name Pulcherrima, "most beautiful," by its discoverer.