Page:Field Book of Stars.djvu/76

 BOÖTES (bo-o'tez)—THE HERDSMAN, OR BEAR DRIVER. (Face West.)

—Boötes lies just west of the Crown, and east of Cor Caroli. It may be easily distinguished by the position and splendor of its principal star, Arcturus, which shines with a golden yellow lustre. It is about 35 degrees east of Denebola, in ../Leo/, and nearly as far north of Spica, in ../Virgo/, and forms with these two a large equilateral triangle. A line drawn from (ζ) to (η) Ursæ Majoris and prolonged about 30 degrees locates it. The brightest stars in Boötes outline a characteristic kite-shaped figure.

Three stars of the fourth magnitude are situated in the right hand. They are about 5 degrees beyond Benetnasch, the first star in the handle of the Dipper.

It takes twenty-five years for the light from Arcturus to reach the earth. Contrast its color with Spica, Antares, and Vega. The trapezium β, γ, δ, and μ, was called "The Female Wolves," by the Arabians. θ, ι, κ, and λ, "The Whelps of the Hyenas."

54