Space questions, answered
What is the North Star?
The North Star is Polaris — the star that sits almost directly above Earth's North Pole, so it stays nearly fixed in the sky while the others wheel around it through the night.
Because it marks true north, Polaris has guided navigators for centuries. A common myth is that it's the brightest star in the sky — it isn't, not even close. It's useful because of where it is, not how bright it is.
Earth's axis slowly wobbles over thousands of years, so the 'north star' changes: around 3000 BC it was Thuban, and in about 12,000 years it will be the bright star Vega.
People also ask
Is the North Star the brightest star?
No — Polaris is only moderately bright. The brightest star in the night sky is Sirius.
How do you find the North Star?
Follow the two 'pointer' stars at the end of the Big Dipper's bowl; they line up almost directly with Polaris.
Sources: NASA — Polaris