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Thuban - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (614 words) |
 | Even though Thuban carries the Bayer designation Alpha Draconis, at apparent magnitude 3.65 it is over a magnitude fainter than the brightest star in the constellation, γ Dra (Etamin), whose apparent magnitude is 2.23. |
| The Alpha designation is apparently due to its history as the ancient pole star. |
| While it is well known that the two outer stars of the 'dipper' point to the modern-day pole star Polaris, it is less well known that the two inner stars, Phecda and Megrez, point to Thuban, just seven and a half degrees of arc from Megrez. |
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