Which star is commonly known as the North Star?

Which star is commonly known as the North Star?

• A. Polaris
• B. Sirius
• C. Betelgeuse
• D. Vega

Answer: (A)

Polaris is known as the North Star because it sits almost directly above Earth’s north rotational axis, so as the planet spins, it stays in roughly the same spot in the sky. That near-alignment with the north pole makes it a reliable reference for due north; in the northern sky you’ll find it near the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, serving as a fixed beacon while other stars arc around it. The other bright stars—though visible and useful for other purposes—do not line up with the north direction in the same fixed way, so they don’t indicate true north. Keep in mind that over long timescales the axis wobbles, so which star holds the title can shift, but in our era Polaris is the one that marks the north.

Polaris is known as the North Star because it sits almost directly above Earth’s north rotational axis, so as the planet spins, it stays in roughly the same spot in the sky. That near-alignment with the north pole makes it a reliable reference for due north; in the northern sky you’ll find it near the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, serving as a fixed beacon while other stars arc around it. The other bright stars—though visible and useful for other purposes—do not line up with the north direction in the same fixed way, so they don’t indicate true north. Keep in mind that over long timescales the axis wobbles, so which star holds the title can shift, but in our era Polaris is the one that marks the north.