Which specific star served as the North Star approximately 3000 years ago due to the slow Earth wobble?
Answer
Thuban in the constellation Draco
Because the Earth's rotational axis drifts slowly due to precession over a cycle spanning roughly 26,000 years, the star considered the North Star changes over geological timeframes. Historical astronomical evidence indicates that about 3,000 years prior to the present era, Polaris was not the primary marker for true north. Instead, the star Thuban, located within the constellation Draco, occupied the position closest to the North Celestial Pole at that time. Polaris is only the current occupant of this privileged celestial address, underscoring that its role is temporary in the grand cosmic timescale.
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