thumb|upright=1.35|Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in relation to Polaris The stars Merak (β Ursae Majoris) and Dubhe (α Ursae Majoris) are known as the "pointer stars" because they are helpful for finding Polaris, also known as the North Star or Pole Star. By visually tracing a line from Merak through Dubhe (1 unit) and continuing for 5 units, one's eye will land on Polaris, accurately indicating true north.
thumb|upright=135|ursa major and ursa minor in relation to polaris the stars merak (β ursae majoris) and dubhe (α ursae majoris) are known as the "pointer stars" because they are helpful for finding polaris also known as the north star or pole star by visually tracing a line from merak through dubhe (1 unit) and continuing for 5 units one's eye will land on polaris accurately indicating true north