Arc to Arcturus

Find the Big Dipper and follow the arc of the handle to the brightest star you see, Arcturus. At this time of the year, it's high in the west. Athough Arcturus is only the 4th brightest star, it's the brightest one in the summer sky at magnitude 0.

The name Arcturus is Greek for bear guard. It watches over Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

Arcturus belongs to the constellation Boötes (pronounced boh-oh-teez). The brightest star in a constellation is called alpha, and since Arcturus is the brightest star in Boötes, it is also known as Alpha Boötis.

References:

Arc to Arcturus
The 10 Brightest Stars
Arcturus