Which constellation is Polaris the bright tip of the handle for, although it is generally fainter than the Big Dipper?
Answer
Little Dipper (Ursa Minor)
Once Polaris is located using the pointer stars of the Big Dipper, it is easily identifiable as the bright terminal star marking the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper is formally known as Ursa Minor. While the Big Dipper is easily spotted due to its prominent nature, the Little Dipper constellation itself is generally fainter and significantly harder for an observer to spot when trying to locate it independently. Polaris acts as the main beacon that outlines the shape of the Little Dipper, making the discovery of the latter constellation straightforward once the North Star is identified.
Related Questions
What celestial point is Polaris almost exactly above when traced from the geographic North Pole?For an observer in the Northern Hemisphere, what geographical measurement is directly related to the altitude of Polaris above the northern horizon?What is the approximate ranking of Polaris's brightness compared to all other stars visible at night?Which two stars forming the outer edge of the Big Dipper's bowl are used as 'pointer stars' to find Polaris?Which constellation is Polaris the bright tip of the handle for, although it is generally fainter than the Big Dipper?What astronomical phenomenon, caused by the slow wobble of Earth's axis, dictates that Polaris's title as North Star is temporary?What classification describes the primary star component, Polaris A (or Polaris Aa), in terms of stellar evolution and brightness variation?What is the orbital period for the closest companion star to Polaris A, identified as Polaris Ab?In Hindu tradition, what name personifies Polaris, meaning 'immovable' or 'fixed'?According to the latest Gaia mission data referenced, what is the estimated distance of the Polaris triple star system from Earth in light-years?