When you look up in the night sky and find your way to the North Star, you are looking at Polaris. Not only is it the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation (the Little Dipper), but its ...

Polaris is actually still drawing closer to the pole and on March 24, 2100, it will be as close to it as it ever will come, just 27.15 arc-minutes or slightly less than the moon's apparent diameter.

Ursa Minor boasts a pan-like outline featuring a 'bowl' and 'handle', with Polaris is located at the end of the handle, while Kochab and Pherkad form the outer edge of the 'bowl'.

The star, more formally called Polaris or α Ursae Minoris, is located in the constellation Ursa Minor, sitting almost directly above Earth's North Pole in the sky, making it ideal for orientation.

Late July is a great time to get acquainted with the Little Dipper, also called Ursa Minor. Face north as soon as it gets dark, and you'll see the Big Dipper to your upper left. Fix your gaze on the ...

Polaris is not at the exact polar point, but it lies within 1.5 degrees of it. This means Polaris actually circles around the North Celestial Pole once a day, but this motion is too small to be seen.

Ursa Minor (little bear). The Big Dipper and Polaris so dominate the night sky that they inspired a seventh-grade student to base his design of his state flag on them.

While Ursa Major and its sister Ursa Minor are on one side of the sky, two lesser known star groups, Canis Major and Canis Minor, the Big and Little Dogs, respectively, can be found on the other side.