What characteristic of Polaris is significant to observers in the northern hemisphere?

The characteristic of Polaris that is significant to observers in the northern hemisphere is that it remains fixed in the northern sky. This property makes Polaris a key reference point for navigation and orientation. Since it is located nearly at the north celestial pole, it does not appear to move in the sky like other stars. This allows it to serve as a reliable indicator of true north, making it particularly valuable for mariners and travelers navigating in the northern hemisphere.

The other options present attributes that are not applicable to Polaris. While it is a bright star, it is not the brightest star overall in the night sky; that title goes to Sirius. Polaris is visible throughout the year, not just in winter, which means it can be observed on clear nights in any season. Lastly, Polaris does not change position throughout the night, as it remains almost stationary. This stability contrasts with other stars that seem to move across the sky due to Earth's rotation.