January 11, 2006
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmNorth Star Triple Threat
The North Star is not a single star, but rather a triple star system consisting of Polaris and two companions.
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The North Star is not a single star, but rather a triple star system consisting of Polaris and two companions. One of these companions, Polaris B, was spotted by William Herschel in 1780; the other, Polaris Ab, orbits Polaris so closely that astronomers have been unable to glimpse it. Until now. A team of researchers has finally photographed the elusive companion using the Hubble Space Telescope. The next step is to measure the movement of Polaris Ab, which should in turn help scientists obtain an accurate mass for Polaris.
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