<P> Polaris , designated Alpha Ursae Minoris ( α Ursae Minoris , abbreviated Alpha UMi , α UMi ) , commonly the North Star or Pole Star , is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor . It is very close to the north celestial pole , making it the current northern pole star . The revised Hipparcos parallax gives a distance to Polaris of about 433 light - years ( 133 parsecs ) , while calculations by other methods derive distances around 30 % closer . </P>
<P> Polaris , designated Alpha Ursae Minoris ( α Ursae Minoris , abbreviated Alpha UMi , α UMi ) , commonly the North Star or Pole Star , is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor . It is very close to the north celestial pole , making it the current northern pole star . The revised Hipparcos parallax gives a distance to Polaris of about 433 light - years ( 133 parsecs ) , while calculations by other methods derive distances around 30 % closer . </P>
what 's the name of the north star
what 's the name of the north star
Polaris
Polaris