Which constellation is home to the star Polaris?

Polaris, also known as the North Star, is located in the constellation Ursa Minor. This constellation is often referred to as the Little Bear and is easily identifiable due to the arrangement of stars that form its shape. Polaris is situated at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper, which is part of Ursa Minor.

The significance of Polaris lies in its position almost directly above the North Pole, making it a key reference point for navigation in the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike its brightness relative to other stars, its unique position in the sky makes it a stable point, as the Earth rotates around its axis. This is why Polaris has historically been used by navigators and explorers to find true north.

In contrast, while other mentioned constellations, such as Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, are also prominent in the night sky, they do not contain Polaris. Orion, another well-known constellation, is located in a very different part of the celestial sphere, further separating it from the location of Polaris. Understanding the correct constellation aids in both identifying stars and navigating celestial observations.