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Polaris is the present-day North Star of Earth
- Polaris, also known as the North Star, remains nearly still in the sky while the northern sky rotates around it due to its proximity to the north celestial pole.
- While not the brightest star, Polaris is easily visible in the northern sky from Northern Hemisphere locations, serving as a navigational guide for travelers.
- Located close to the Big Dipper, Polaris can be found by drawing a line from the pointer stars Dubhe and Merak, which always point to the North Star.
- The Big Dipper circles Polaris counterclockwise in 23 hours and 56 minutes, acting as a celestial clock, with Polaris being the pivot point.
- Polaris is part of the Little Dipper and its position in the sky changes based on the observer's location, climbing higher as one travels north and sinking below the horizon as you move south or beyond the equator.
- Previously, Polaris has not always been the North Star, and it is part of a triple star system with Polaris A being a supergiant star and Polaris B a companion star located at a significant distance.
- Measuring 434 light-years away from Earth, Polaris is a luminous yellow supergiant star estimated to shine with the luminosity of 1,260 suns, and it is classified as a Cepheid variable star.
- Due to its minimal movement, Polaris is observable in the daytime with a telescope, and its position can be tracked with precision due to its proximity to the celestial north pole.
- Polaris played a vital role in guiding travelers and escaping slaves, serving as a lodestar and a reliable navigational aid throughout history.
- While Polaris holds the title of the North Star presently, it will not remain as such indefinitely, with its close alignment with the north celestial pole projected to last until March 24, 2100.
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