Polaris

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Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

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The precession of the equinoxes.

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Colorful winter sunset

What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?

1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.

6 Questions About the Sun Answered

Infinite space background with silhouette of telescope. This image elements furnished by NASA.

Telescopes: Seeing Stars

M17, the Swan Nebula, is a star-making cloud in the constellation Sagittarius.

How Do We Know How Far Away the Stars Are?

Discover

African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.

Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

green digital binary symbols

What Comes After Terabyte?

"Landing of Columbus" by John Vanderlyn, oil on canvas; commissioned 1836/1837, placed 1847. In the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. 12' x 18' ft. (3.66 m. x 5.49 m.) Christopher Columbus and members of his crew are shown on a beach

5 Unbelievable Facts About Christopher Columbus

Chinese pictograph, calligraphy tablet of Huang Tingjian, a famous calligrapher in Ancient Song Dynasty. The background of Chinese cultural elements.

The World’s 5 Most Commonly Used Writing Systems

Monitor. Varanus salvadorii is a monitor lizard found in New Guinea can grows to 2.7 metres (9 ft.) aka Tree crocodile, Crocodile monitor, Salvadori's monitor, artellia, reptile

7 of the World’s Most Dangerous Lizards and Turtles

Candles Burning On Table In Church

What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?

Polaris: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

QuickCheck: Are sharks older than the North Star? • Apr. 2, 2025, 2:38 PM ET (The Star)

Photos

The precession of the equinoxes.

See All Images →

Topics

Sun Sirius Alpha Centauri Betelgeuse Vega Algol Antares Aldebaran Arcturus Rigel

Quiz

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

All About Astronomy

The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet

Space Odyssey

View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).

Astronomy and Space Quiz

1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.

Brightest Star in the Solar System

Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)

Stars: Explosions in Space

Demystified

Colorful winter sunset

What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?