Artist's concept of the Polaris triple star system
Click on image for star map
NASA, ESA, G. Bacon (STScI)
Polaris - the North Star
|
What's in a Name: |
So named because it is the closest star to the celestial north pole.
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Claim to Fame:
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It's the famous North Star! (actually a triple star system) |
| Type of Star: |
Yellow-white Supergiant |
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How Far Away: |
430 light years away |
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How Big: |
About 46 times the size of the Sun |
| How Bright: |
Roughly 1800 times the luminosity of the Sun |
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Where to View: | In the constellation Ursa Minor.
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When to View: | All year round in the Northern Hemisphere |
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