Northstar is a prominent star located in the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper. It is often referred to as the North Star because it is positioned nearly directly above the North Pole, making it a reliable point of reference for navigation in the Northern Hemisphere. As a Cepheid variable, Northstar is known for its brightness and changes in luminosity over time. It is approximately 430 light-years away from Earth and is part of a multiple star system, which includes other stars that orbit around it.