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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
big dipper
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ The descent, like a big dipper, is exhilarating but perfectly safe.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Big Dipper

American English name for the seven-star asterism (known in England as the plough; see Charles's Wain) in the constellation Ursa Major, first attested 1833 as simply the Dipper (sometimes Great Dipper, its companion constellation always being the Little Dipper). See dipper.

Wiktionary
big dipper

n. (context constellation English) A bright circumpolar asterism of the northern sky, said to resemble a ladle or cart. It is part of the constellation Ursa Major and includes the stars Mizar, Dubhe, and Alkaid.

Wikipedia
Big Dipper (disambiguation)

The Big/Great Dipper is the American English term for the seven brightest stars of Ursa Major (The Plough in British English).

Big Dipper also may refer to:

Big Dipper

The Big Dipper ( US) or Plough ( UK) is an asterism consisting of the seven brightest stars of the constellation Ursa Major; six of them are of second magnitude and one, Megrez (δ), of third magnitude. Four define a "bowl" or "body" and three define a "handle" or "head". It is recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures.

The North Star ( Polaris), the current northern pole star and the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, can be located by extending an imaginary line from Merak (β) through Dubhe (α). This makes it useful in celestial navigation.

Big Dipper (Luna Park Sydney)

The Big Dipper was a wooden roller coaster operating at Luna Park Sydney from 1935 until 1979. It was demolished in 1981. First constructed in 1930 to an American design, the wooden Big Dipper roller coaster was a mainstay of Luna Park Glenelg during its four years of operation. The ride was dismantled and shipped to Sydney when the Glenelg park went into voluntary liquidation in 1934, and became the biggest attraction of the newly opened Luna Park Milsons Point (which was later renamed Luna Park Sydney).

The ride was long, lasted three minutes, could reach speeds of , and when all three roller coaster trains were operating, could carry 72 people.

The Big Dipper remained popular throughout its operating life. The coaster became inactive when Luna Park was closed following the 1979 Sydney Ghost Train fire, and was demolished and burned, along with most of the 'old' Luna Park, when Australian Amusements Associates took over the site on 3 June 1981. Two of the nine roller coaster cars were purchased at the auction before the demolition; one is on display within Luna Park today, while the other is part of the Powerhouse Museum collection.

Big Dipper (Geauga Lake)

Big Dipper is a wooden roller coaster located at the defunct Geauga Lake amusement park in Bainbridge Township, Ohio. Originally opened in 1925 as Sky Rocket, it was renamed Clipper in the late 1940s and eventually Big Dipper in 1969. It was the oldest operating roller coaster in Ohio and seventh-oldest in the United States when it closed in 2007. Designed by John A. Miller, the Big Dipper is also one of the last remaining roller coasters in the world from the legendary designer. American Coaster Enthusiasts awarded the coaster its ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Coaster Landmark designations. Efforts to sell, preserve, and restore the ride have been unsuccessful, although the ride is still standing in its original location.

Big Dipper (Pleasure Beach Blackpool)

Big Dipper is a wooden out and back roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, Blackpool, England. The ride was first built in 1923 by John Miller but was extended in 1936 by Charlie Paige and Joe Emberton; adding arches over the south entrance of the park and additional drops. The ride operates with two trains, each containing three four-bench cars, seating two people per bench. The roller coaster is also referenced in the Jethro Tull song Big Dipper, from their 1976 album Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!

In August 1998, Richard Rodriguez set a world record by riding the Big Dipper for over 1000 hours. There is a plaque commemorating this event in the ride's station. Although he doubled this mark two years later to 2000 hours, Guinness World Records nullified the achievements by altering the rules in 2007 and Rodriguez's new record was set on the Big One (roller coaster) and Big Dipper and stands at 405 hours 40 minutes.

Big Dipper (band)

Big Dipper is an American indie rock band formed in Boston in 1985 by former members of Volcano Suns and The Embarrassment. They released 4 albums between 1987 and 1990, before splitting up. The band reunited in 2008. They were described in a New York Times article as "musical contortionists: they love to toy with extremes, juxtaposing ferocious guitar noise with celestial vocal harmonies or planting a delicate melody in jagged rhythm".

Big Dipper (Michigan's Adventure)

Big Dipper is a steel roller coaster at Michigan's Adventure near Muskegon, Michigan. It was manufactured by Chance Rides. It is a family coaster aimed at smaller children. The height limit is 36 inches with a parent.

The roller coaster was part of a large upgrade to the entrance of the park. During this same year, new entrance turnstiles were installed, a new gate was constructed, Mad Mouse was built, and new buildings were constructed.

Big Dipper (album)

Big Dipper is the first album released by Drop Trio. The album debuted in 2003 and was self-released by the band. The 45 min record has been heralded by critics all around the world, and is a premier example of melodic funk jazz.

Big Dipper (Battersea Park)

The Big Dipper was a wooden roller coaster located at Battersea Park in London, opened in 1951 and was one of the Battersea Park Funfair's biggest attractions. The ride was the main attraction of the funfair, opened as part of the Festival of Britain.