Polaris
star · Ursa Minor · 2.0ᵐ
The North Star: it lies less than 1° from the celestial pole, so it barely moves across the sky. Its altitude equals the observer’s latitude.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Polaris around the year 1593.
About 41 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Polaris in?
Polaris lies in Ursa Minor.
Is Polaris visible to the naked eye?
2.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Polaris?
Best observed in October.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 2h 32m · +89° 16′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ursa Minor
- How to observe
- 2.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- F7:Ib-IIv SB — yellow-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -3.6ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈2,443 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~433 light years
- Designation
- HIP 11767
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 61° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 56° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 46° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 31° · never sets | — |
| 0° | 1° | 1° |
| −35° | never rises | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 18:46 |
| February | 16:39 |
| March | 14:54 |
| April | 13:00 |
| May | 11:06 |
| June | 09:00 |
| July | 06:56 |
| August | 04:55 |
| September | 03:02 |
| October | 01:13 |
| November | 23:12 |
| December | 21:04 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.