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Polaris

Polaris is Earth's current northern pole star, and thus is commonly referred to as the North Star. Historically, Polaris was used by sailors and navigators to determine their current latitude while crossing oceans. Please place all questions about Polaris, the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, into this category.

500 Questions

How many stars are in the constellation Polaris?

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Asked by Wiki User

Polaris is not a constellation but it is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. Polaris is not a single star just like half of all known stars are not single stars like our sun but are normally in a system of two or more stars. Polaris is part of a system that is four stars. It's closest companion known as Polaris Ab is easy to see in a small telescope.

What is closer to the Earth the Sun or Polaris?

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Asked by Wiki User

The sun is the closest star to earth.

Is Polaris hotter than the Sun?

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Asked by Wiki User

Yes. The sun is about 5778°K. Polaris is about 6900°K.

Why is polaris the brightest star?

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Asked by Wiki User

The question cannot be answered because it is based on a false premise that Polaris is the brightest star.

If you measure polaris at an altitude of 60 degrees where are you on earth?

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Asked by Wiki User

If Polaris appears 60° above the northern horizon, then you are pretty near 60° north latitude.

If you're on the equator ... 0° north latitude ... then Polaris is on the horizon ... 0° altitude.

If you're at the north pole ... 90° north latitude ... then Polaris is over your head ... 90° altitude.

The altitude above the northern horizon at which Polaris appears is nearly identical to your north latitude.

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The difference (error) between Polaris and the real North Celestial Pole is about 0.7 degree. Not

good enough for precise navigation or surveying, but just fine for directions when you're hiking.

Which is more reliable method for a sailor to determine noth by using the star Polaris or reading afoad map?

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Asked by Wiki User

A map doesn't tell you which way is north, it tells you which direction to go to get somewhere assuming you already KNOW which way is north... so it's not really an option except in special cases (for example, if a map shows two landmarks that are visible from the sailor's current position, he can use that to determine both where he is on the map and which direction is north).

Where is Polaris made?

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Asked by Wiki User

Lockheed?

What is the diameter of polaris?

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varies

Why is polaris important?

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Asked by Wiki User

because it is the center of the universe two camels in a tiny car

Does Polaris move when you move on earth?

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Asked by MelissaPritchard

Yes ! The Polaris Moves Comparatively To Earth !The Position Of The Polaris Is Not Constant .

Constellations that circle polaris and are visible year around are called?

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Asked by Wiki User

These are called circumpolar constellations.

Which part of America can see Polaris at night?

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Asked by Wiki User

You can see it from anywhere in North America, and the parts of South America that are north of the equator.

What is the constellation that Polaris is in?

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Asked by Wiki User

Polaris is in Ursa Minor (Little Dipper).

What is altitude of polaris?

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How was polaris discovered?

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What star is considered fixed star?

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Asked by Wiki User

All the visible stars are considered fixed stars to distinguish them from the planets that wander round among the fixed stars.

Some nearby stars appear to move very slowly with what is called 'proper motion'; but it takes thousands of years for the shapes of the constellations to change even slightly.

When is the best season to see polaris?

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Asked by Wiki User

If you are north of the Tropic of Capricorn, winter. The Earth is then tilted in a way that Polaris is in the darkest part of the sky that it can be in. It also can be seen from further south than any other time of year, so in some places, winter is the only season to see Polaris. If you are south of the Tropic of Capricorn, you will not see Polaris no matter what season it is.