In 2018 Polaris was 0.66° (39.6 arcminutes) away from the pole of rotation (1.4 times the Moon disc) and so revolves around the pole in a small circle 1.3° in diameter. It will be closest to the pole (about 0.45 degree, or 27 arcminutes) soon after the year 2100. Because it is so close to the celestial north pole, its right ascension is changing rapidly due to the precession of Earth's axis, going from 2.5h in AD 2000 to 6h in AD 2100. Twice in each sidereal day Polaris's azimuth is true north; the rest of the time it is displaced eastward or westward, and the bearing must be corrected using tables or a rule of thumb. The best approximation is made using the leading edge of the "Big Dipper" asterism in the constellation Ursa Major. The leading edge (defined by the stars Dubhe and Merak) is referenced to a clock face, and the true azimuth of Polaris worked out for different latitudes.
in 2018 polaris was 066° (396 arcminutes) away from the pole of rotation (14 times the moon disc) and so revolves around the pole in a small circle 13° in diameter it will be closest to the pole (about 045 degree or 27 arcminutes) soon after the year 2100 because it is so close to the celestial north pole its right ascension is changing rapidly due to the precession of earth's axis going from 25h in ad 2000 to 6h in ad 2100 twice in each sidereal day polaris's azimuth is true north; the rest of the time it is displaced eastward or westward and the bearing must be corrected using tables or a rule of thumb the best approximation is made using the leading edge of the "big dipper" asterism in the constellation ursa major the leading edge (defined by the stars dubhe and merak) is referenced to a clock face and the true azimuth of polaris worked out for different latitudes