Beta Ursae Minoris, also known as Kochab, has swollen and cooled to become an orange giant with a slightly fainter m of 2.08. Polaris is a yellow-white supergiant and the brightest Cepheid variable star, ranging in apparent magnitude ( m) from 1.97 to 2.00. Because this position stays nearly fixed as the Earth rotates, the star has been important for navigation, particularly by mariners. Polaris, its brightest star, is currently less than one degree away from the north celestial pole. One of 88 modern constellations, it was also one of 48 listed by 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. In North America, it is also known as the Little Dipper since its seven main stars appear to form a ladle shape (diagram pictured). Ursa Minor (Little Bear) is a constellation in the northern sky.
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