Polaris
Also known as α UMi · HR 424
Polaris is a classical Cepheid variable star in the constellation Ursa Minor, about 430 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Classical Cepheid variable star (spectral type F8Ib) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Ursa Minor |
| Position (J2000) | 2h 31m 49s, +89° 15′ |
| Distance | 430 light-years (its light set off about 430 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.02 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 721 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Polaris is highest in the sky at midnight in October. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 21° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 51°. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Ursa Minor
Everything in Ursa Minor · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits