The star α Ursae Minoris, also known as the North Star or Pole Star. It is perhaps the best-known star in the northern sky. Its location only 1° of arc from the north celestial pole, the point where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the celestial sphere, has made it a very useful reference point for navigation. It may easily be found by following the line joining the two bright stars at the end of the bowl of the Big Dipper.