Which has been referred to as 'the North Star' because it seems fixed in position?

Which has been referred to as 'the North Star' because it seems fixed in position?

• A. Sirius
• B. Vega
• C. Polaris
• D. Betelgeuse

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that a star appears fixed because it lies very close to the direction of Earth’s rotation axis. Polaris sits almost directly above the North Pole, so as the sky rotates, it stays in roughly the same spot and can be used to find north. That’s why it’s the best answer. The other bright stars—Sirius, Vega, Betelgeuse—are not near the north celestial pole, so they trace noticeable paths across the sky as the Earth turns and the seasons change, not remaining in one fixed position. Over very long times the axis itself shifts slowly, but today Polaris is the star most closely aligned with the pole.

The main idea is that a star appears fixed because it lies very close to the direction of Earth’s rotation axis. Polaris sits almost directly above the North Pole, so as the sky rotates, it stays in roughly the same spot and can be used to find north.

That’s why it’s the best answer. The other bright stars—Sirius, Vega, Betelgeuse—are not near the north celestial pole, so they trace noticeable paths across the sky as the Earth turns and the seasons change, not remaining in one fixed position. Over very long times the axis itself shifts slowly, but today Polaris is the star most closely aligned with the pole.