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Also known as the North Star, the Pole Star is actually three stars whose light merge to create a single bright glow, the brightest star of the constellation Ursa Minor. This star appears stationary in the sky and comprises the end point of the handle of the Little Dipper constellation. As the Little Dipper's handle always points "up" or "north," it is often used for navigation in the Northern Hemisphere.
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"The Big Dipper & Pole Star (in the upper left corner) above Joisey, April 28, 2009" by joiseyshowaa is licensed under CC BY-SA.
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Encyclopædia Britannica Online
N.d. Polaris. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/467073/Polaris, accessed January 13, 2015.