Submitted by vaterp t3_z10idk in askscience
Sequels_Shmequals t1_ixai9p1 wrote
Reply to comment by IhaveaBibledegree in How do astronomers share coordinates with each other? by vaterp
Also, FYI the North Star isn't truly fixed either as our rotation axis is processing. The Earth is more accurately like a spinning top. It's a slow change, but in a few 1000 years there won't be a North Star. Or at least it might be a different Star, not Polaris
[deleted] t1_ixalvll wrote
[removed]
lurker1957 t1_ixanm0l wrote
Isn’t it true that Polaris is a really lucky accident as there aren’t any other bright stars along the circle that the precession traces?
Edit: spooling
Sequels_Shmequals t1_ixaqkya wrote
It is very lucky, but I don't think it's the only bright star. Vega is also quite bright and was once the North Star. But there definitely aren't many bright ones along the circle.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments