Polaris (North Star)

Polaris, also known as the North Star, is a bright star situated nearly directly above Earth's North Celestial Pole, making it a key navigation point in the night sky. Its position remains almost fixed as Earth spins, allowing observers in the Northern Hemisphere to use it to find north easily. Polaris is part of the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper). Although it is not the brightest star in the sky, its steady position makes it invaluable for navigation and orientation, especially before modern tools existed. Its prominence and stability have made it an important celestial marker for centuries.