Ursa is a Latin word meaning 'BEAR, ' and it is the name of two northern constellations in the night sky. URSA Major, also known as the Great BEAR, is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky and contains the Big Dipper asterism. URSA Minor, or the Little BEAR, is home to the North Star, Polaris. Both constellations are circumpolar, meaning they never set below the horizon and can be seen year-round from the Northern Hemisphere.