What is Polaris?

Polaris is the North Star, and it helps us find our way when we’re lost at night.

Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek in a big park. You close your eyes, count to 10, then open them, but everything looks the same! That’s how it feels when you’re lost in the dark sky. But if you look up and see Polaris, it’s like finding a friend who doesn’t move, they’re always there, helping you find your way back.

Most stars seem to twirl around in the sky as the night goes on, like dancers at a party. But Polaris is special because it’s right above Earth’s North Pole. It looks like it’s not moving, just sitting there, being the boss of all the other stars.

For thousands of years, sailors used Polaris to know which way was north. It’s like having a tiny lighthouse in the sky that never goes out. Now, even if you're just playing outside or trying to find your way home from school, you can use Polaris too, it's always there to help!