Locating the North Star, also known as Polaris, is helpful for navigation. In the Northern Hemisphere, Polaris is approximately aligned with the Earth’s axis of rotation, making it appear almost stationary in the sky. To find Polaris, locate the Big Dipper, which is part of the Ursa Major constellation. Follow an imaginary line traced by the two outer stars of the Dipper’s bowl, extending about five times its length, to find Polaris. Alternatively, using a compass can help approximate its position. Polaris is a valuable reference point for determining north and aiding navigation.