Why is Polaris helpful in finding directions?
A. It can be seen both day and night.
B. It is the biggest star in the universe.
C. It is the most visible stars in the night sky
D. It is a fixed star which always points at the north 1.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. It is a fixed star which always points at the north
Polaris, also known as the North Star, is helpful in finding directions because it is located almost directly above the Earth’s North Pole. This means that it appears nearly stationary in the sky and always points toward true north. Sailors, travelers, and navigators have relied on Polaris for centuries to determine direction in the Northern Hemisphere.
Unlike other stars that appear to move across the sky during the night due to Earth’s rotation, Polaris stays fixed in its position. It lies nearly in line with the Earth’s rotational axis above the North Pole. As a result, when someone stands facing Polaris, they are facing geographic north. This makes it an excellent natural compass for anyone trying to find their bearings without modern tools.
Polaris is not the brightest star in the sky, but its unique position makes it extremely useful. It is located in the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper), at the tip of its handle. To find Polaris, observers can look for the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) and trace a line from the two stars at the end of its “bowl.” That line will lead directly to Polaris.
Polaris’s ability to remain in a fixed position has made it important for navigation, especially before the invention of the compass and GPS. It helps determine both direction and latitude. By measuring the angle of Polaris above the horizon, one can estimate their latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. For example, if Polaris appears 45 degrees above the horizon, the observer is roughly at 45 degrees north latitude.
In conclusion, Polaris is helpful in finding directions because of its fixed position in the sky, always pointing toward the geographic North Pole.