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Polaris
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Polaris Diagram showing Earth's axis of rotation tilted at about 23.5 degrees, illustrating precession as the axis traces a circular path over 26,000 years, shifting alignment from Polaris, the current North Star, to Vega. Labels indicate the plane of Earth's orbit and the changing orientation of the axis over time.
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View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
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The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)
Stars: Explosions in Space
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
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.
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Polaris: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: EDP Sciences - Astronomy and Astrophysics - Probing Polaris’ puzzling radial velocity signals. Sep 17, 2026
Add new Web site: EDP Sciences - Astronomy and Astrophysics - Probing Polaris’ puzzling radial velocity signals. Jul 26, 2025
Add new Web site: IOPscience - The Astrophysical Journal - The Orbit and Dynamical Mass of Polaris: Observations with the CHARA Array. Dec 20, 2024
Add new Web site: The Nine Planets - Polaris. Oct 20, 2023
Add new Web site: Live Science - Something strange is going on with the North Star. Sep 07, 2023
Add new Web site: Sky & Telescope - Meet Polaris, the North Star. May 04, 2023
Add new Web site: The Planets - Polaris Star - Facts and info about the north star. Mar 25, 2023
Add new Web site: Space.com - Polaris: How to find the North Star. Oct 17, 2022
Article revised and updated. Dec 15, 2020
Add new Web site: Royal Museums Greenwich - Ursa Minor and Polaris. Mar 26, 2020
Media added. Apr 05, 2010
Added new Web site: Ryukyu Astronomy Club - Polaris. May 01, 2008
Added new Web site: eSky - Polaris. Apr 28, 2008
Added new Web site: Worsley School - Polaris. Apr 28, 2008
Added new Web site: University of Illinois - Polaris. Apr 28, 2008
Added new Web site: The Dome of the Sky - Polaris. Apr 28, 2008
Added new Web site: W.J. Rayment - Polaris. Apr 28, 2008
Added new Web site: Lunar and Planetary Institute - Polaris. Apr 28, 2008
Article revised and updated. Mar 09, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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