High in the western sky during late summer and early fall Bootes, the herdsman, drives his animals before him, towards greener pastures in the north. But this is no ordinary herdsman, and he does not tend the usual flock of sheep, or goats, or cattle. This herdsman is in charge of a couple of bears, known as Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor, and he keeps them moving through the night in a big circle around the North Star, Polaris.

Bootes is one of the oldest constellations in the sky. It is mentioned in Homer's 3000 year old Odyssey, and was recognised long before that, which is not surprising, considering that the role of herdsman is one of the most ancient of professions. The constellation is easily identified by the bright golden orange star Arcturus, the fourth brightest star in the sky, whose name means guardian of the bear.