Polaris

[dragonlord]

Why is it that a lot of star maps and guides put Polaris in a straight line with the Big Dippers last two stars when it's actually around 2' off that line?

[bingevader]

Because you've bought a cheap star map or guide?!

I've only seen this in very rough guides and diagrams or children's maps, where it is just done as a simple pointer or aide to finding Polaris.

No accurate map will have a straight line drawn between them.

Cheers

[foundaplanet]

The two stars of the Plough are guide stars that are simply used to give an indication of where to find Polaris. If you have an illustration that is showing you this that is all it will be for. No accurate star chart will be inaccurate.

[cotterless45]

It's always a wonder to me using a Polaris clock reading just how much movement we make beneath it. I also didn't realise at what a neck cracking angle it's at or how muddy you can get at the polarscope !

Nick.