Which star is also known as the ‘Pole Star’?

Key Points

• Polaris, also known as the North Star, is the star located almost directly above the Earth's North Pole.
• It is part of the constellation Ursa Minor and is the brightest star in this constellation.
• The North Star is a crucial point of navigation in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Unlike other stars, Polaris appears to stay in a fixed position in the sky, making it a reliable point of reference for determining direction.

Additional Information

• Polaris is actually a triple star system, consisting of the main star, Polaris A, and two smaller companions, Polaris B and Polaris Ab.
• The star is approximately 433 light-years away from Earth.
• Due to its alignment with the Earth's rotational axis, Polaris has been used by navigators and explorers for centuries.
• In ancient times, Polaris was not always the Pole Star. The title shifts over millennia due to the precession of the Earth's axis.