Thuban
Quick Summary
Thuban, also known as Alpha Draconis, is a white giant star in the constellation Draco. It was historically significant as the polestar from approximately 4000 BC to 1800 BC, serving as a navigational guide in place of Polaris. Due to the Earth's axial precession, Thuban will eventually return to its position as the North Star in about 20,000 years. The constellation Draco itself has been associated with dragons since Babylonian times and features in Greek mythology.12
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polestar…is Polaris (α Ursae Minoris); Thuban (α Draconis) was closest to the North Pole about 2700 bce, and the bright star Vega (α Lyrae) will be the star closest to the pole in 14,000 ce. The location of the northern polestar has made it a convenient object for navigators to…
Read More…is Polaris (α Ursae Minoris); Thuban (α Draconis) was closest to the North Pole about 2700 bce, and the bright star Vega (α Lyrae) will be the star closest to the pole in 14,000 ce. The location of the northern polestar has made it a convenient object for navigators to…
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astronomical mapThe celestial sphere…time the pyramids were built, Thuban in the constellation Draco served as the pole star, and in about 12,000 years the first-magnitude star Vega will be near the north celestial pole. Precession also makes the coordinate systems on precise star maps applicable only for a specific epoch.
Read More…time the pyramids were built, Thuban in the constellation Draco served as the pole star, and in about 12,000 years the first-magnitude star Vega will be near the north celestial pole. Precession also makes the coordinate systems on precise star maps applicable only for a specific epoch.
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