Polaris is the North Star. It is located in Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. The brightest stars in that constellation form an asterism commonly called the Little Dipper. Polaris is the star at the end of the Dipper's handle.
The above illustration shows the northern sky as it appears about 8:00 PM in mid-January. Polaris is a third magnitude star visible to the naked eye under suburban or rural skies. The Little Dipper dangles from Polaris, reaching toward the northern horizon. The bright stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper in Ursa Major are sitting along the horizon. Polaris' altitude above your northern horizon is equal to your local latitude.
Six months later in mid-June, the Little Dipper can be seen standing on its handle at 8:00 PM. The Big Dipper will be high above and positioned to pour its contents upon the landscape.
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Revised: February 11, 2002 [WDF]