answersLogoWhite

0

According to Scientific American: "The North Star, or Polaris, is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, the little bear (also known as the Little Dipper)."

Click on the link to the right for their full article (with a picture showing the location).

AnswerAnother way to find Polaris is to locate the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) which is usually easy to find from the Northern hemisphere, and then look at the two stars on the lip, or front side of the cup. These are Merak, on the bottom, and Dubhe on the tip of the lip. If you estimate the distance between these two and then follow a line straight up from Merak through Dubhe about three times that distance, you will find Polaris. It will appear to be approximately due North from any place it can be seen (which is nice for orienting yourself at night). As mentioned above, Polaris is also part of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) and is the star at the end of the handle.

Because Polaris lies nearly in a direct line with the axis of the Earth's rotation "above" the North Pole - the north celestial pole - Polaris stands almost motionless on the sky, and all the stars of the Northern sky appear to rotate around it. Therefore, it makes an excellent fixed point from which to draw measurements for celestial navigation and for astrometry.

Additional AnswerIf you mean where in space is the star, relative to earth, it is 431 light years away from earth, about 2 degrees away from a line going from the south pole through the north pole.

The web site in the related links also shows the direction of Polaris relative to Earth in the galaxy.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What was the north star?

The star "Polaris" is the North Star.


What star is always pointing north?

North star


What is the north star and how did it help explorers?

The North Star is a star that where ever you are, when you look at it, that is north. It helped explorers to know which way is north;)


Can you see the star of Jesus today?

No you can not see that star today as it was a special bright star.


Is the north star a star or a planet?

I think the answer is in the question. North Star!! It's a star called Polaris


The name of your north star is called?

The North Star is Polaris.


When was North Star Computers created?

North Star Computers ended in 1984.


Why is minnesota's nickname The North Star State?

because their motto is 'the north star' so its the north star state


Is the north star north of the celestial equator?

Yes. The North Star is aligned with the celestial north pole.


How can one determine their direction by finding the North Star?

To determine your direction using the North Star, locate the North Star in the night sky, which is always positioned in the north. By facing the North Star, you will be facing true north, helping you find your direction.


What is the usage of north star or polaris?

The usage of the north star, or Polaris, is to find which way you are facing. If you are facing in the direction of it, you are facing north. If you are facing the opposite direction of the north star, you are facing south. If you are facing left of the north star, you are facing east. If you are facing right of the north star, you are facing west.


Who published the north star?

Frederick Douglass published the North Star.