Finding the North Star
The North Star has guided navigators for centuries before the invention of the compass.
Its proper name is Polaris and it has been the most reliable source of direction for the Northern Hemisphere in the nighttime sky. Its name comes from the fact that is positions itself above the Earth's North Pole and appears to be totally stationary amont the many constellations, planets and meteor showers.
In the southern hemisphere there is a similar indicator called the Southern Cross. It too lies above the southern pole and acts as a guide.
Polaris is Not Alone
Polaris is a bright star. Where does it's brightness comes from?
Visually it looks like only one star but it is really more than that.
Polaris is a "binary star", which are two stars that revolve around each other. This is observable from earth based telescopes and scientists have known this now for many years.
In fact scientists have known for about fifty years that there was a third star present from the measurable type of light that was coming from it. However, they could not identify it by earthbound telescopes.
The Hubble telescope, which is in orbit around the earth, has finally detected the third star. It seems it is behind and about two billion miles beyond Polaris!
The Earths Rotation
The earth's rotation is not perfect. As it rotates around and provides both day and night for us, it also has a slight "wobble" that will take about 26,000 years to complete.
That means that Polaris is not the only star to fill the role of "the guiding star". There are others that will also do that over time.
The next one is the star "Vega" and it will become the new "North Star" about the year 12,000 AD. So don't worry, there is no rush in finding new directions to locating it.
OK, where is it?
It is a good thing to know about the North Star in the event you are lost in the wilderness and without a compass. Trying to figure out where it is at that time is the wrong time!
It is fairly easy to locate in the nighttime sky. In urban areas where the sky is slightly illuminated by city lights the star is relatively bright, but the pointer stars that help locate it can be somewhat obscured.
In the wilderness all you need is a clear sky that is not blocked by tall mountains.
There are two easy to identify constellations in the night sky. They are Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. These are otherwise known as the Big and Little Dippers.
Both of these constellations appear to revolve around Polaris as do all the others. They are both visible year around.
The chart will show you the relatively simple way to locate it.
The Big and little dipper's are in different positions at different times of the year but they are always in close enough proximity to Polaris to help you find it.
Find at least one of the Dippers first. The two stars that form the edge of the Big Dipper's cup points directly at the Polaris.
Polaris is also at the end of the "handle" of the Little Dipper.
