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Aa01 | 22:04 Tue 18th Jan 2005 | Science
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Why is there no movement of the Pole star? also why do the paths of the other stars appear as curved lines? if ther is any1 out there who can answer my question please do !! thanx
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1. Because it is (almost) directly above the North Pole

2. Because the Earth is rotating

The points above and directly in line with the Earth's axis of rotation are known as the celestial poles. These are the points about which, (to a viewer on Earth), the stars appear to rotate.

In the Northern hemisphere, the star closest to the celestial north pole is Polaris, in the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the 'Pole Star'. Being at (or very close to) the centre of apparent rotation, it will seem to remain stationary, whilst the remaining stars describe a circular path around it.

Over millions of years the Pole Star does have an apparent motion.  I think it is to do with the precession of the Earth's axis (the Earth's axis wobbles).

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