Ursa Minor

Northern SkyLittle Bear
HemisphereNorthern Sky
Area256 sq deg
SymbolLittle Bear

About Ursa Minor

The Little Bear. Contains Polaris, the current North Star. Polaris is less than one degree from the north celestial pole. The Little Dipper asterism forms the body and tail. Polaris has been the pole star since about 500 AD and will continue until about 3000 AD. Kochab was the pole star around 2,500 BC when the Egyptians built the pyramids. Thuban was the pole star around 2,800 BC.

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