Which statement is true about Polaris in relation to Ursa Minor?

Which statement is true about Polaris in relation to Ursa Minor?

• A. It is the brightest star in Ursa Minor
• B. It is the faint star in Ursa Minor
• C. It is in Ursa Major
• D. It is not in Ursa Minor

Answer: (A)

Polaris being the brightest star in Ursa Minor is what makes it stand out in that small constellation. It sits at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, which is why people use it as a fixed reference to find north—the star is roughly aligned with the north celestial pole. Ursa Major is a different constellation (the Big Dipper’s home), so Polaris isn’t in Ursa Major, and it isn’t a faint star within Ursa Minor—it’s the standout star there. So the statement that Polaris is the brightest star in Ursa Minor is the true one.

Polaris being the brightest star in Ursa Minor is what makes it stand out in that small constellation. It sits at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, which is why people use it as a fixed reference to find north—the star is roughly aligned with the north celestial pole. Ursa Major is a different constellation (the Big Dipper’s home), so Polaris isn’t in Ursa Major, and it isn’t a faint star within Ursa Minor—it’s the standout star there. So the statement that Polaris is the brightest star in Ursa Minor is the true one.