ursa

Ursa is the Latin word for bear, the feminine form of ursus. In astronomy, Ursa appears in the names of two nearby constellations: Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Ursa Minor (the Little Bear).

Ursa Major contains the Big Dipper asterism; Ursa Minor contains the Little Dipper, with Polaris at the end of its handle. The two constellations are prominent in the northern sky and are circumpolar at many northern latitudes, meaning they never set below the horizon for observers in those regions. Historically, they have served navigation and timekeeping functions in various cultures.

In biology, bears belong to the family Ursidae, and the genus Ursus; Ursa is not used as a current taxonomic name. The form Ursa is used in constellations and in Latin-language terminology, rather than modern zoological nomenclature.

Beyond science, Ursa appears in folklore, literature, and fictional works as the bear figure, reflecting the enduring association between the term and the animal.