hip-78661

Its story

In Ursa Minor, the constellation that guards the celestial north, shines a white A-class star whose light set out around 1512, when Renaissance painting was reaching its peak in Italy. Hotter and more luminous than the Sun, it gives off a crisp, almost bluish glow. It keeps the Pole Star company in its quiet corner of the sky, reminding us that the deep north holds far more light than the lazy eye usually recognises at first glance.