The North Star

Chapter 1

Finding our way in the dark

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Chapter 2

The surprising science of Polaris

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Chapter 3

The changing crowns of the sky

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YOUR GOAL

Master of The North Star

Ch 2 · The surprising science of Polaris

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sonia Polaris North Star

Oh, Polaris, guiding light! Oh, Polaris, guiding light! Seems like one star shining bright, But it's three stars in the night!

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sonia The extreme distance to the North Star

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sonia Why Polaris is a cosmic heartbeat

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sonia The secret triple star system of Polaris

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Polar

sonia Polar

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sonia Why Polaris is not the brightest star

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The extreme distance to the North Star

sonia The extreme distance to the North Star

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Why Polaris is a cosmic heartbeat

sonia Why Polaris is a cosmic heartbeat

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Glossary

cepheid variable (noun)
A star that rhythmically pulses in brightness, helping astronomers measure cosmic distances. Polaris is the closest one to Earth, meaning our favorite cosmic compass is actually a pulsating stellar heartbeat.

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Quiz

How many stars actually make up the Polaris star system?

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Gossip

Would you want to visit a triple-star system?

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Quiz

Compared to our Sun, how much wider is the primary star of Polaris?

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Quiz

What type of star is Polaris that causes its brightness to pulse?

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Fun Fact

Polaris size: The primary star of Polaris is a yellow supergiant about forty-six times wider than our Sun.

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Quiz

Where does Polaris rank among the brightest stars in the night sky?

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Quiz

Approximately how far is the North Star, Polaris, from Earth?