The Big Dipper really does look like a dipper. It does now, that is, and for a little while longer.

Press the P button in the Time and Date display to move forward in time and see how it changes.

The middle five stars are travelling together around the galaxy on nearly parallel paths, and they'll retain their relative spacing far into the future. The Dipper's two end stars, however, are travelling in the opposite direction. Eventually the Big Dipper will become stretched into what people might one day call the Big Lounge Chair.