Polaris is a star in which constellation?

Polaris is a star in which constellation?

• A. Ursa Minor
• B. Ursa Major
• C. Cygnus
• D. Orion

Answer: (A)

Polaris is the North Star and sits almost directly above Earth’s north axis, which makes it a useful reference point for navigation. It lies at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, the asterism that defines the constellation Ursa Minor. Because Polaris is near the north celestial pole, it appears nearly stationary in the sky as the rest of the stars rotate around it. The other options correspond to different patterns: Ursa Major contains the Big Dipper, Cygnus is the Swan, and Orion is the hunter. So Polaris belongs to Ursa Minor.

Polaris is the North Star and sits almost directly above Earth’s north axis, which makes it a useful reference point for navigation. It lies at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, the asterism that defines the constellation Ursa Minor. Because Polaris is near the north celestial pole, it appears nearly stationary in the sky as the rest of the stars rotate around it. The other options correspond to different patterns: Ursa Major contains the Big Dipper, Cygnus is the Swan, and Orion is the hunter. So Polaris belongs to Ursa Minor.