Polestar

Polestar refers to a star that is positioned nearly directly above the Earth’s North or South Pole, serving as a pivotal point in the sky for navigation and orientation. The term is most commonly associated with Polaris, the North Star, which has historically been used by travelers and navigators to determine latitude and direction in the Northern Hemisphere due to its relatively fixed position in the sky. Polestars are significant in celestial navigation, aiding in the establishment of bearings and guiding movement, especially in times before modern navigational tools. Additionally, the term has been used in various contexts to denote a guiding principle or central reference point around which activities or beliefs are organized.