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How to Find the North Star
The North Star, also known as Polaris, is close to the point where all of the northern stars currently rotate around, the Celestial North Pole.
Steps
- Locate the Big Dipper. This is an asterism, part of the much larger constellation Ursa Major.
- Find the two stars on the side of the constellation farthest away from the "handle".
- Draw a line from the fainter star (Merak) to the brighter star (Dubhe).
- Continue the line and you will find the north star (Polaris).
Tips
- Make sure that you can see all of the stars in the Big Dipper before you attempt to find the North Star.
Warnings
- If you are in the southern hemisphere, or near the equator, it may be possible to find Polaris if you live near the equator, but it is often very difficult. If you are in the southern hemisphere, it would be best to try to use a star map and find the South Celestial Pole if you need to (there is no South Pole Star).
- Look to the south and you may find a bright star that stands out. This is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. It is commonly mistaken for the north star. It is not the North Star.
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