Polaris became the North Star, or the Pole Star, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 years ago. It is currently located almost directly above the North Pole, making it an essential navigation point for travelers in the northern hemisphere.
Historically, the role of the North Star has not always been filled by Polaris. The position of the stars changes over time due to a phenomenon called axial precession, where the Earth’s rotational axis slowly rotates over thousands of years. This means that different stars take turns being the ‘North Star’ as time goes on.
During ancient times, around the time of the ancient Egyptians, the North Star was actually Thuban, located in the constellation Draco. As the centuries passed, Polaris gradually became the closest bright star to the North Celestial Pole.
Today, Polaris is recognized not just for its fixed position in the night sky but also for its brightness and distinctive characteristics, making it a reliable point of reference for navigation.