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Is Polaris the north star?
It is currently but 5,000 years ago the North star was Vega. This is because the Earth's axis wobbles (precession) every few thousand years.
The process that causes the north star to change?
Earth's precession: The Earth's rotational axis "wobbles" very slowly, taking about 26,000 years per rotation. Depending on where we are in our wobble, the North pole is pointed toward a particular star - the north star.
Why isn't polaris always the north star?
This is because of the precession of the Earth's equinoxes as well as the motion of the stars, themselves. The precession of the equinoxes takes around 25,770 years before returning to the same position.
Why does the answer say Currently the north star is Polaris?
Because in the future, due to a wobble in how the earth rotates on its axis, known as precession, what we now see as the north star, which we all Polaris, will no longer appear to be in that position.
How does the north star changes?
Due to the earths precession (How the earth 'wobbles' on its axis) the pole star changes over time. Though this takes many, many years
Have the star signs changed?
The dates for the star signs has changed due to the precession of the equinoxes.
Why pole star is always seen on north?
It is purely coincidental that the north star Polaris happens to be fairly close to the north celestial pole in the skies. In fact, the Earth's rotation wobbles very slowly - called "precession" - over a span of 25,800 years. In about 3000 years, the north pole won't be pointing to Polaris, but to some other spot in the sky, and there will not be a "pole star". In about 12,000 years, the "pole star" will be Vega, and in 24,000 years it will be back to Polaris again. Because the precession is so slow, no human lives long enough to notice any changes.
Was there ever a north star other than polaris?
Yes. Due to precession, Earth's axis doesn't always point in the same direction, so at times, the star we now know as "Polaris" will actually be quite far from the sky's North Pole.
Why pole star stays as it?
The pole star (Polaris) is not constant. The Earth's precession creates a continually varying point in space where the North Pole points. Right now, it is within a degree of Polaris, but there is a 26,000 year period where Polaris will not always be the pole star.
How long will Polaris be our north star?
Due to the precession of the equinoxes, Polaris will no longer be above the North Pole by the end of the 21st Century. Around the 40th Century, the Earth's rotational axis will pass close to Alrai (Gamma Cephei).
The wobbling motion made by the earth's axis as it turns in space is called?
Precession. This VERY slow wobble is what causes the Earth's rotational axis to move in a 26,000 year circle. The fact that Polaris is the north star is entirely accidental and fortuitous; in another 13,000 years Vega will be the "north star".
Relation of Virgo to the North Star?
Essentially none. Polaris, the north star, is positioned almost (but not quite) exactly above the north pole of the Earth. This is entirely coincidental, as the precession of the Earth's rotation causes the Earth to wobble in a 26,000 year cycle. Polaris wasn't the north star 3000 years ago, and in 3000 years, it won't be then - but it is now. Virgo, one of the zodiacal constellations, is more or less level with the ecliptic.
