#NorthStar May 4

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For the month of May 2024 several of us are taking on the 30-Day Astronomy Coach4aday Challenge. The simple concept is to learn something about the cosmos each day. For May 4th it is a brief explanation to find the NORTH STAR in the sky.

Many astronomers say that the NORTH STAR is the most important one to locate in the night sky. It is also called Polaris, is crucial for navigation because it remains almost stationary in the sky, aligning with the Earth’s axis. Its consistent position above the North Pole serves as a reliable reference point for determining direction, especially in the northern hemisphere.

Astronomy Challenge Suggested Guidelines

Like previous challenges there are no hard and fast rules to participate. There are a few suggested guidelines.

1. Each day in May learn something new about our universe either by reading or observation.
2. Share that knowledge with others
3. If so inclined use the hash tag #Coach4adayChallenge on social media platforms

May 4th-How to locate the North Star

First one myth to dispel. The North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. It ranks 48th in brightness.

Finding Polaris is straightforward on a clear night: simply locate the Big Dipper. The two stars at the end of the Dipper’s “cup” point directly to Polaris, situated at the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, or the tail of the constellation Ursa Minor, resembling a little bear.