What is the common name for Polaris???

Answer 1

Hello,

Polaris IS the common name for that star, although it's often called the North Star as well.

It is also called Alpha Ursae Minoris, as it is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor (the little bear). In 1603, a man named Bayer devised a system of naming stars based on what constellation they were in and their relative brightness. Each star's name takes the possessive form of the constellation's name, and begins with a greek letter (alpha being brightest, beta second brightest, gamma third brightest, and so on). Although there are a few problems with this system (there are only 24 letters in the Greek alphabet, for example, and constellations have far more than 24 stars), it is still used in reference books.

It is interesting to note that Polaris is only the "Pole Star" right now...due to the wobble, or precession, of the Earth's axis, the star will seem to drift away from its position directly above Earth's north pole over the next few millennia. Eventually, the star Vega (currently about 52º away from the north celestial pole) will move into position over the north pole, but that won't happen for about 12,000 years.

Answer 2

The North Star

Answer 3

North Star

Answer 4

the North Star

Answer 5

Hi. The North Star because, at least for now, the Earth's axis is pointed in that general direction, missing it by less than a degree (two lunar or solar diameters).