Question

Which of the following constellations contains the Pole star?
A. Ursa Major
B. Ursa Minor
C. Pleiades
D. Orion

Answer 1

Hint: Currently, Polaris is the pole star which lies in the constellation named Ursa Minor. Pole stars are seen in the North Pole, and hence it is also known as the north star. The constellation in which the Polaris or the pole star is located can be seen from the Northern hemisphere during night sky or dawn time.

Complete answer:
A group of stars that can be known from the shape of a similar and easily identifiable object like an animal or a geometric shape like object is called a constellation. Major constellations that are known are the Ursa Major, Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia. zodiacal, circumpolar are the three categories in which constellations are identified. Constellations are useful for the tracking of artificial satellites and other galaxies or in identifying the position of a star.
Pole star: In India, the pole star is known as Dhruva. It is also known as the North, is the brightest star that appears nearest to either celestial pole at any particular time. Due to the precession of the equinoxes that is the equal time duration of day and night on those two days,, the location of each pole describes a small circle in the sky over a period of $25000$ years. There are a number of successions of stars which have passed near enough to the north celestial pole and have served as the polestar for years. At present the pole star is Polaris. The reason why Polaris is extremely important is because the Earth’s axis is pointed directly at it. During the night time, Polaris does not rise or set, but it remains in almost the same position, which is above the northern horizon year-round while the other stars circle around it.
Polaris lies in the constellation Ursa Minor. Hence the pole star is in the constellation Ursa Minor.

So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note:
Pole stars have been helpful to sailors while navigating. It is also used as a reference for artificial satellites to navigate through various constellations as well as galaxies. The pole star is the brightest star of the constellation of Ursa Minor and hence can be easily spotted in the bright or dark night sky.