Polaris
Product information
Description
Polaris glows steadily in the northern night sky, marking the end of the Little Dipper’s handle. To stargazers and travelers, it has long represented a steady light in times of uncertainty—a true celestial compass.
Additional Information
- Constellation
- Ursa Minor
- Spectral Type
- F7:Ib-II
- Apparent Magnitude
- 1.98
- Distance (Light Years)
- 433
- Right Ascension
- 02h 31m 49.09s
- Declination
- +89° 15′ 50.8″
- Solar Masses
- 5.4
- Radius (Solar)
- 37.5
- Temperature (Kelvin)
- 6015
- Age (Million Years)
- 70
Discovery
- Ancient Civilizations
- Greeks, Arabs, Chinese, Vikings
- Historical Significance
- Polaris has served as a critical reference point for navigation for millennia, guiding explorers, sailors, and caravans across land and sea. Its near-fixed position in the northern sky made it essential for determining latitude and direction before the advent of compasses.
Cultural Significance
- Mythology
- In Norse mythology, Polaris was seen as the end of the celestial spike around which the sky turned. For many cultures, it symbolized constancy and guidance. In Chinese astronomy, it was regarded as the 'Emperor Star'—the seat of the celestial sovereign.
- Navigation
- Polaris's position almost directly above Earth’s North Pole has made it a vital tool in celestial navigation, from ancient mariners to modern scouts. Unlike other stars, it barely shifts in the sky, marking true north.
- Modern Reference
- Polaris is frequently referenced in literature, symbolic of direction, purpose, and enduring stability. It is also a prominent subject of astrophotography and educational astronomy.
Notable Features
- Stellar Motion
- Polaris has a very slight apparent movement in the sky due to its proximity to the north celestial pole, but it too moves in space like all stars.
- Additional Fact
- Polaris is actually a multiple star system, with the main component being a yellow-white supergiant and at least two smaller companions. It is also a Cepheid variable star, meaning it pulsates and is used as a cosmic distance marker.
User Dedications
- Dedications
- This star has not been claimed yet. Be the first to dedicate it to someone special!