Boötes

Boötes (bō-ō'tēz) [key][Gr.,=the herdsman], northern constellation located to the SE of the Big Dipper in Ursa Major and W of Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. It contains the brilliant orange star Arcturus. The figure traditionally associated with Boötes shows a man holding a staff in one hand and two leashed dogs in the other (the Hunting Dogs of the constellation Canes Venatici). Boötes is also known as the Keeper of the Bear because it follows Ursa Major, the Large Bear. It reaches its highest point in the evening sky in June.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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