We’re up to the letter “N” in our A-Z challenge tour of heavenly bodies. There is only one constellation that begins with an N, Norma, which is
located in the southern sky and isn’t well known. But there is the “North Star” which is we’ll
explore today. My apologies for readers
living in the southern half of our globe because you may have never seen this
star as it stands high over the Celestial North Pole. The star is also known as Polaris (from
Polaris Stella, Latin for North Star, not to be confused with Stella Artois or “star
of Artois, the brewer). It is actually a
triple star. Polaris A is a super-giant,
with Polaris Ab orbiting about 2 billion miles out and Polaris B is orbiting at
a distance of 240 million miles. The
star luminosity is 2500 times that of our sun, but because of the distance from
earth (430 light-years) it is only the 50th brightest star in the
heavens. Although the star seems to remain steady, it
is just off the true celestial north, and actually tightly circles the globe.
 |
| Time delay photo showing stars circling the North Star |
The North Star hasn’t always been the North Star (see letter
D for Draco), nor will it remain the North Star forever. But we won’t have to worry about finding
another north star during our lives as it will come the closest to the pole in
2100. During the age of exploration, the
North Star helped ships as they made their way across the Atlantic and when
slavery was allowed in the United States, the “Dippers” and the North Star
guided those fleeing slavery as they made their way north and on to Canada.
Polaris is the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper
(Ursa Minor of the Little Bear). It can
be easily found by looking at the two stars at the cup end of the Big Dipper
and following them to Polaris. On a dark
night, one can see the entire little dipper constellation. The constellation, Ursa Minor or “The Little
Bear” represents Arcas, Callisto’s son by Jupiter. When Jupiter decided to place Callisto in the
sky, he placed her son next to her, changing them into a bear. I suppose Jupiter wasn’t just a seducer of
mortals, he had a heart as seen in this kind act. 
The North Star Males a Great Start into the third week of the A to Z challenge! I loved all of your posts so far, unfortunately I don't have enough time to comment all of them.
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Potpourri
It is interesting that there is so much history in the stars. Another great post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from A to Z: N for Never Let You Go
Shari
Fascinating info about the north star. I've never been able to see the little dipper. One day, little bear, I will find you.
ReplyDeleteA to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs
Norma? That's interesting. You've really inspired me to get out and begin stargazing more seriously. (if I can navigate dogs and insects well enough to do so)
ReplyDeleteI can usually find the North Star, if it's a clear night.
ReplyDeleteThe North Star, dippers, and Orion's belt are the few things I have a chance of finding in the sky.
ReplyDeleteN is for Operation Northwoods
I'd heard of this one but didn't know all that info you posted.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, friend Sage ... I know the Big Dipper and the Northern Star very well ... looking at them every nite, uhm, if it's not snowing ... smiles ... Happy belated egg day, too ... smiles ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read huge numbers and light years, my eyes glaze over. I can barely imagine what a year is or a mile. I'm very limited in my distance and time assessments. Still I love reading about our stars and what's out there beyond my comprehension. Great N post today.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this post, Sage. I plan to work backwards through all your A-Z posts, because I am very interested in astronomy, and your post is full of neat information. The big dipper was the first constellation I learned, and from it I was able to learn the North Star's location easily. I've been rereading James Mitchener's "Hawaii," and it was fascinating to read about how the Bora Borans sailed into the unknown and found Hawaii. The book is a novel, I know, but it was really poignant to read about their sadness at their familiar southern constellations disappearing forever as they sailed north in their huge canoe, and then their excitement and wonder when they found a fixed star in the north to help them navigate. I hope that you had a lovely Easter!
ReplyDeleteThe North Star is one I can find most of the time. It fascinates me to think about people finding their way by looking at the stars.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Connie -- it must be wonderful to be able to find your way around by the stars.
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