The Big Dipper: Hop to Spring's Sky Sights

"The Big Dipper is one of the most familiar sights in the Northern Hemisphere’s night skies. It’s a prominent asterism — a recognizable pattern of stars that isn’t an officially named constellation — in Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Ursa Major is a circumpolar constellation: Its stars never set for most observers at northern latitudes. In fact, the Dipper is visible year-round to observers north of latitude 41°, which makes it an invaluable key to unlocking the night sky. Let’s look at seven sights that you can find with the naked eye on these spring evenings using the Dipper to guide you. ..."
Sky and Telescope