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Kochab

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description Kochab Overview

Kochab, designated as Beta Ursae Minoris, is an orange giant star located approximately 130 light-years away in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is the second-brightest star in its constellation and forms a prominent part of the bowl of the Little Dipper asterism. Due to the precession of Earth's rotational axis, Kochab served as the North Pole star from approximately 1500 BCE to 500 BCE, acting as a navigational guide for ancient civilizations before eventually being superseded by Polaris. Modern observations reveal it is an evolved star that has exhausted the hydrogen in its core.

help Kochab FAQ

How can you find Kochab in the night sky?

Kochab is Beta Ursae Minoris, one of the bright stars forming the bowl of the Little Dipper in Ursa Minor. It appears near Pherkad, and the pair are traditionally known as the Guardians of the Pole.

Was Kochab once the North Star?

Earth's axial precession placed the north celestial pole much closer to Kochab around the second millennium BCE than it is today. Kochab was therefore useful as a northern marker, although it was not as closely aligned with the pole as Polaris is in the modern era.

What kind of star is Kochab?

Kochab is an orange giant that has exhausted the hydrogen in its core and expanded beyond its earlier main-sequence state. Its orange color distinguishes it from the hotter-looking white stars nearby.

How is Kochab different from Polaris?

Polaris, Alpha Ursae Minoris, currently lies much closer to the north celestial pole and is used for navigation. Kochab is Beta Ursae Minoris and sits in the Little Dipper's bowl rather than at the end of its handle.

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