Asterisms · Asterism, also the Guards · 2 stars across Ursa Minor
Asterism
Guardians of the Pole
The Guardians of the Pole: Kochab and Pherkad, circling Polaris like the hand of a clock.
- Stars
- Kochab, Pherkad
- Constellation
- Ursa Minor
- Spans
- about 3° of sky
- Highest at midnight
- early May
History
Sailors told the time at night by where the Guardians stood around the pole. Around 1000 BC, Kochab itself was the bright star nearest the pole.