Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains The North Star

Is the north star the brightest in the night sky? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explain everything you wish to know about the North Star. Do all your dreams really come true?

What is the North Star? Where is it in the night sky? Are stars in Hollywood burning thermonuclear fuel in their core? We discuss how culturally entrenched wishing on a star is, why the North Star– Polaris– has significance, and why so many people can’t seem to spot it. We break down long exposure photos of the night sky and the constellations in the southern hemisphere. Is there a “south star”? Plus, hear Chuck’s impersonation of Venus getting mistaken for Polaris and more!

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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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[nobodyknows]

I had a girlfriend in college that I referred to as "My Little Neutron Star" One day she asked me about it, "Is it because I'm so incredibly bright?" "No honey, " I answered, "it's because you're so incredibly dense." The supernova occurred right after that.

[IonutStefanescuSturz]

also, a good argument against flat-earthers: if Earth was flat, you could see Polaris from everywhere on the planet. It's the curvature that blocks the view for southern hemisphere.

[josepht]

Just saw chucks new tide commercial on tv the other day. Congrats on the recent success chuck. Super happy for u and your family. Keep it going. 💪🏾

[davidmccoy]

Happy Birthday to my Personal Astrophysicist, Neil. Enjoy Sir and thank you for sharing the knowledge.

[rushabhsheth]

Another fantastic episode of Star Talk. Just one feedback: please explore the use of animations or still images to explain some of the more technical topics.

[NGC-]

Polaris right now: “Shut up! I’m the North Star! I may not be super bright but I’m still special! 😭”

[ShannonShaw-xr]

How strange is it that science so easily makes me forget about my depression?
Thank you for doing what you do.

[Alex-dkum]

Neil laughing at his own jokes is my favorite 😂

[spsheridan]

Good video Neil and Chuck. You started talking about people’s misconception that the North Star is the brightest (in the Northern Hemisphere) but I didn’t hear you say which one is. You danced around it a bit with Chuck citing Sirius, but he did so in connection with the North Star (for which he was corrected by Neil) not the brightest. For viewers who may be interested, Sirius is indeed the brightest star as viewed from Earth.

[willie]

I see Neil deGrasse Tyson is still destroying things that people believe for years, with actual facts 😀😁😂

[skinwalker]

Chuck doing directions is *literally* how we give directions because direction is hard --
Also, weirdly elated to have guessed Venus as the first "star" we see as we circle Sol, and guessing Polaris correctly.. :I
Not sure we, in our thirties, should feel this excitement, but here we are.

[Dippyification]

From Nigeria I am wishing Neil Degraas Tyson a Happy Birthday. I am your good fan

[carolperazoli]

Chuck Nice and Neil deGrasse Tyson are the perfect combination of knowledge and humor.
I could listen to their talks for hours! in fact i did just did that!

[Baggytrousers]

For the Southern hemisphere we've got the Southern Cross (Crux) and the Two Pointers (Alpha and Beta Centauri) which, used together help you find south (Or at least point you close enough to find that Sigma Octantis).
Still love the analogue watch trick for finding North/South.

[wesleyverity]

You constantly answer questions from my childhood that I either couldn’t get a straight answer for or that I never thought to ask. I appreciate you so much!

[rdspam]

7:02 People don’t “want meaning in the sky”, they want to use an approximation that is very effective. If you’re lost in the wilderness and need to know which direction is North, do you want a pedantic A) Sorry, absolutely no way to know exactly the direction, or B) the North Star is the closest, it is less than 1 degree from true north, and you can use it quite effectively?

[AnishAbraham]

You missed the fact that Polaris is a temporary North Star! Please do a talk on axial precession too! Love the show!

[Anonymous-mdqp]

I can’t see Polaris from my country because the spherical Earth is in the way.

[RadioactiveLobster]

Was Siriusly waiting for you to let Chuck know that he did at least know the brightest star in the sky but it never came.

[graceonearth]

Happy birthday! Really love your programs from Masterclass to Startalk. :)