The former North Star, Alpha Draconis or Thuban, is circled here in an image of the northern sky. North Stars (marked red), image: Roberto Mura. It was the ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician Hipparchus who first That's a complicated question. Polaris did not become the North Star until about AD 500. The period of precession is about 26,000 years. After Polaris is found, it's easy to do a quick measurement to see how far above the horizon it is. Alternatively, your fist, extended at arm's length, spans a distance approximately equal . The same is not currently true for the south-facing end of the axis in other words, there is no South Star.". The surface gravity on Tuban has been estimated to be at around 3.5 cgs. Thuban will continue to survive for many more millions of years, suffering certain changes, for example, it might become a blue giant. After moving nearly 47 off the pole by 10,000AD, Thuban will gradually move back toward the north celestial pole. A star in Draco, called Thuban, was the pole star when the Egyptians built the pyramids some 5,000 years ago. Thuban is 479 times brighter than our Sun and has average surface temperatures of around 10,100 K, or 1.7 times hotter than our Sun. But in the year 3000 B.C., the North Star was a star called Thuban (also known as Alpha Draconis), and in about 13,000 years from now the precession of the rotation axis will mean that the bright star Vega will be the North Star. Thuban (Draconis) is a star (or star system) in the constellation of Draco and is historically significant as having been the north pole star from 3942 BC, when it moved farther north than Theta Bootis, until 1793 BC. Convert the following into scientific notation. 5.4 x 10 to the negative exponent of 7. The Purple Forbidden Enclosure is located in the area of the sky around the north celestial pole and it represents the imperial palace. Thuban was the Pole Star from 3942 BCE to 1793 BCE, during the creation of some of Egypt's largest pyramids. As per the scientists, Thuban's popularity rose from a historical role it performed some 4,700 years ago, back when the earliest pyramids were being . 2019-09-09 Polaris, Alpha Ursae Minoris ( UMi), commonly known as the North Star, is the closest relatively bright star to the north celestial pole. It has an effective temperature of 10,100 K. The companion, Alpha Draconis B, has 2.6 solar masses and shines with 40 solar luminosities. Meanwhile, our modern Polaris which many centuries ago was an ordinary star known by the name Phoenice wont match Thubans precision when it most closely aligns with the north celestial pole on March 24, 2100. "That's Vega, which our descendants some 12,000 years from now (if humans are still around) will consider their North Star. He received his 1st telescope in 1965, a 2-inch (5cm) refractor. [citation needed], Thuban is a single-lined spectroscopic binary. Looking ahead, about 13,000 years from now, the Earth's axis will point toward the bright star Vega, which will then be our North Star. Draco contains many interesting deep sky objects such as the lenticular galaxy NGC 5866, the disrupted spiral galaxy Tadpole, the Cats Eye Nebula, the massive galaxy cluster Abell 2218, and the Draco Dwarf Galaxy, one of the faintest satellites of the Milky Way. You can also tell your latitude, since the angle from the horizon to Polaris is the same as your latitude (to within a degree, anyway). It was once an ordinary star in the northern sky, called Phoenice. In 1978, Don was one of the independent inventors of the Messier Marathon, an attempt to find and view all 110 galaxies, clusters, and nebulae in one night. It is part of our constellation Draco the Dragon. The radial velocity variations of the stars can be measured and the pair have a somewhat eccentric orbit of 51.4 days. how the Earth spins on its axis. It has an apparent magnitude of 3.6452 and lies at an approximate distance of 303 light years from Earth. Hold a fist out at arm's length and align the bottom of the fist (where the little finger is curled up) with the horizon. Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. It has a mass 2.8 times that of the Sun and is 479 times more luminous. Thuban's fame arises from a historical role it played some 4,700 years ago, back when the earliest pyramids were being built in Egypt. Thuban is the larger, brighter star of the pair. "The Ever-changing North Pole Star." That's because what humans perceive as the North Star changed over time. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! However, For some time before, the relevant star will be approaching due north and it will be receding for some time after the time listed. The actual name for this phenomenon is "procession of Earth's rotational axis". Welcome To Thuban, Ancient Egypt's 'Pole Star' Where NASA Just Saw A Surprise Eclipse More From Forbes Feb 27, 2023,07:30pm EST The Only Guaranteed Way Of Seeing Venus And Jupiter's 'Super. 2.08), one of the stars of the Little Dipper, and the fainter Kappa Draconis (mag. Its said that the descending passage of the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Gizeh was built to point directly at Thuban. Stargazers are familiar with the concept of the "pole star". Thuban, has long been known to be a binary system. It was closest to the pole in 2830 BCE. the precession of Earth, High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive [6] In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[8] to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The Chinese asterism called the Right Wall of Purple Forbidden Enclosure is formed by Thuban with Kappa Draconis, Giausar (Lambda Draconis), 24 Ursae Majoris, Alpha Camelopardalis, 43 Camelopardalis, and BK Camelopardalis. It has ceased hydrogen fusion in its core. Thuban reigned as the pole star for more than a thousand years. The two stars orbit each other once every 51.5 days and have an orbital eccentricity of 0.43. He ultimately discovered a total of 12 comets, which bear his name. Please donate what you can. The two outer stars in the Dippers bowl point to our modern-day Polaris, the North Star, which marks the end of the Little Dippers handle. The brightest is what we call Polaris. To others, Thuban was the nail that held up the heavens. Polaris won't be the North Star forever. Known as Alpha Draconis, or Thuban, the star is located 270 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Draco, the dragon (opens in new tab). Angela Kochoska, a postdoctoral researcher at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, said in the statement (opens in new tab). Asked whether his new approach to building the state's railways and roads would result in the state's gross debt figure pushing past $187 billion, Perrottet said: "When we make investment . Thuban has 2.8 solar masses, or 280% of the Suns mass, and a radius of 3.4 solar radii, or 340% of the Suns radius. Research Center (HEASARC), The name is of Arabic origin and it denotes a giant snake. [11] Consequently, the Chinese name for Alpha Draconis itself is (Z Wi Yu Yun y, English: the First Star of Right Wall of Purple Forbidden Enclosure),[12] representing (Yush), meaning Right Pivot.[13]. Science news, great photos, sky alerts. In 20,346AD, it will again be the pole star, that year reaching a maximum declination of 884317.3, at right ascension 19h 08m 54.17s. Thuban formed from an interstellar medium of dust and gas. Heres how it works. Petersen, Carolyn Collins. His 2nd comet took an additional 1742 hours. In an article from Popular Astronomy, dated April 1913, Thuban was described as the following: Looking backward to almost 3,000 B.C., we find Thubanm, then the brightest start of the celestial Dragon, at its nearest point of approach to the North Pole. The key to success in business is the first person you encounter representing that company. point, you'll see a star that's much, much brighter than Polaris but farther from the circle," Fienberg says. 3.17), Edasich (Iota Dra, mag. About 14,000 CE, the brightly lit Vega will replace Alderamin. 3. I can, however, tell you that their customer service department earns not even one star! it never sets and is visible throughout the year, for observers in northern latitudes. So what gave the A daily update by email. "Often, this is compared to what happens when a top or a spinning coin start to 'wobble' before falling over on their side. 3.29) and succeeded by the brighter Kochab (Beta Ursae Minoris, mag. Once closest to the northern pole of Earths spin axis, Thuban is the fourth-brightest star in the northern constellation of Draco, the Dragon, and the eighth largest constellation in the night sky. These include the lenticular galaxy NGC 5866, nicknamed the Spindle Galaxy and believed to be the object Charles Messier catalogued as M102, the disrupted spiral galaxy known as the Tadpole Galaxy (Arp 188), the Cats Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), a bright planetary nebula with a visual magnitude of 9.8, the massive galaxy cluster Abell 2218, and the Draco Dwarf Galaxy, one of the faintest satellites of the Milky Way. As the North Star, Thuban was preceded by Edasich (Iota Draconis, mag. Caused by the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon on the Earth the 26,000-year-long precession cycle determines which star is seen at the north celestial pole at any given time. "In this case, the high precision, uninterrupted TESS data (opens in new tab) can be used to help constrain fundamental stellar parameters at a level we've never before achieved.". About 270 light years distant, some have suggested that parts of the GreatPyramidof Khufuthe first and largest of thepyramidsof Giza in ancient Egyptwere aligned with Thuban when it was built around 2600 B.C., though this has been disproved. But as the centuries passed, so did the stars targeted to be our North Star. 3.29), Chi Draconis (mag. Its visible to the naked eye and, 5,000 years ago, was the anchor star for navigators in the northern hemisphere. a star named Thuban in the constellation Draco would have been perceived as the north star. Thuban is estimated to be five times brighter and nearly double the size of its stellar companion. For . In comparison, Polaris, the current North Star, comes within 0.5 of the north celestial pole and has an apparent magnitude of 1.98. As a result of it cooling off, it will shrink until it becomes opaque again, which causes it to heat up and swell again. - Thuban used to be the Pole Star. Thuban has been used as an MK spectral standard for the A0III type. . The story of this famous pyramid observatory and the uses to which it was put has been fully told by Professor Flinders Petrie, in his Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh, leading us to believe that for centuries, both before and after its nearest approach to the pivot of the sky, Thuban was watched as the Polaris of the Old Nile.. There is no such pole star for the southern celestial pole, however. By the way, there is not currently a star in the direction of the southern hemisphere spin axis. Kochab and Kappa Draconis share timing as near-north stars, coming within 6 and 7 of the north celestial pole. Because the Earth's axis wobbles, our perception of north gradually shifts to different stars over a 26,000-year cycle. Gamma Cephei, an inconspicuous star in the constellation Cepheus, will become our North Star. (Credit: Earth Sky), Subscribe to our FREE newsletter for discounts and product updates. Its reign began in 1547 when Gemma Frisius first referred to it as that star which is called polar. In July 2016, the International Astronomical Unions (IAU) Working Group on Star Names officially declared the star to be named Polaris. Take an interactive tour of the solar system, or browse the site to find fascinating information, facts, and data about our planets, the solar system, and beyond. For a long time, only the primary star could be detected in the spectrum. The name Thuban (pronunciation: /jubn/) comes from the Arabic word thubn, denoting a large snake. Most people star-hop to Thuban from the Big and Little Dippers. Whichever star is closest to the north celestial pole is the Pole Star. Measure its altitude. It's actually a shortened version of the words "stellapolaris," which is a Latin term for "polar star." Absolutely not! Alpha Draconis is a single-lined spectroscopic binary star system, which means that only the spectral lines of the primary component are visible. For now, it points to Polaris, in 2,000 years it will point to Errai, and in 23,000 years it will point once again to Thuban, and so on, until it return to point at Polaris in 25,800 years. The same cannot be said for the current south pole star, Sigma Octantis (Polaris Australis), which is barely visible with a magnitude of 5.47 and cannot be used in navigation. These stars did not shine as brightly. But, over a period of 26,000 years, Earths axis points out at different pole stars, tracing out a slow circle in the heavens. However, Polaris will lose its place in about 2,000 years. The eclipses are brief, lasting only six hours, so ground-based observations can easily miss them, said Kochoska. A relatively inconspicuous star in the night sky of the Northern Hemisphere, it is historically significant as having been the north pole star from the 4th to 2nd millennium BC. (This can be done with a protractor. Other articles where Thuban is discussed: polestar: is Polaris ( Ursae Minoris); Thuban ( Draconis) was closest to the North Pole about 2700 bce, and the bright star Vega ( Lyrae) will be the star closest to the pole in 14,000 ce. Thuban is a single-lined spectroscopic binary, only the primary star can be detected in the spectrum. That circle indicates the changing position of the north celestial pole over a cycle of 26,000 years. Draw a line between the two and then extend it out about three fist-widths to get to a not-too-bright star in the middle of a relatively dark area of sky. That makes it very convenient for anyone in the northern hemisphere who wants or needs to navigate by the stars, essentially by making is possible to calculate latitude and north-south direction. The spin axis of the Earth undergoes a motion called precession. Thubans exact age is uncertain. Five indicates fifth degrees north latitude, and so on. StarChild Authors: The StarChild Team A daily update by email. However, Earth's axis shifts in precession, and today Polaris is now the North Star. Most people use their hands to do it. "It's true now, it's been true for hundreds of years (including during the Age of Exploration in the 15th through 17th centuries), and it'll be true for hundreds more years. Thuban is easy to spot though, from light-polluted areas, this can become a challenge. The Earth spins on its "axis". Changes in LatitudePolaris Helps Us Figure Them Out. A positive exponent means that it's a whole number not a decimal. Perhaps then the IAU will assemble their Working Group of Star Names and change the name back to Phoenice. Draco is the eighth largest constellation in the sky and the fourth largest northern constellation, occupying an area of 1,083 square degrees. Related: Mesmerizing Space Spiral Surrounds Binary Star System (opens in new tab), "The first question that comes to mind is 'how did we miss this?'" [3] The secondary is a main-sequence star slightly cooler than the primary, with an A1 spectral class. About 4.3 times bigger and 300 times more luminous than our sun, this giant star has a companion star five times fainter and half the size, which that orbits it every 51.4 days from about the same distance that Mercury orbits our sun. "If you look at the 14,000 C.E. Dont wait up for it! It happens because our planet is wibbly-wobbly. The Nine Planets has been online since 1994 and was one of the first multimedia websites that appeared on the World Wide Web. Thuban is one of the stars that take their turn as the North Star during the Earths precession cycle. Polaris hasn't always been our north pole star. Aside from being the future Pole Star, Errai is also now the brightest star we know of with a confirmed planet. The Draconid meteor shower appears to come from the dragon's head. It has a companion, but it is too close to the primary star to be observed. 1", English-Chinese Glossary of Chinese Star Regions, Asterisms and Star Name, "MAST: Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thuban&oldid=1141383995. Thubans companion star has 2.6 solar masses or 260% of our Suns mass. It is 1.6 magnitudes fainter than Polaris, which means Polaris is four times brighter. 3.07), Aldhibah (Zeta Dra, mag. And Polaris? Thuban was considered the pole star until about 1800 BC, when the much brighter Beta Ursae Minoris (Kochab) began to approach the pole as well. Old Stories pointed to Draco as the most important constellation in the sky. For 200 years, Thuban was within 1 degree of true north. Then it will move away again. Then, measure how many fist-widths it takes to get to the North Star. Once they locate Polaris, they know they're looking north. Looking into the future, Errai will become the northern pole star around 4000 A.D., and Alderamin will take its turn around 7500 A.D. Earths axis maintains a tilt that varies from about 22 degrees to 24 degrees from perpendicular every 41,000 years with respect to the plane of our orbit around the sun. The best time to observe Thuban, and all the other stars and interesting deep-sky objects in the constellation of Draco, is during the month of July. Your submission has been received! For the rest of the week, keep an eye on forecasts like the . Thuban has an absolute magnitude of -1.20. Thuban was closest to the pole in 2830 BCE, coming closest to the north celestial pole out of all the other pole stars. And although you can't tell when you gaze at Polaris in the night sky, it's actually part of a triple star system. Its a slow, smooth wobbling that causes a change in the orientation of Earths axis over time. At that time, it appeared as the North Star, the one closest to the northern pole of Earth's spin axis, the point around which all of the other stars appear to turn in their nightly motion. The 'Bows pounded four solo home runs, held North Dakota State to three hits none in the final six innings and . New York, Ancient Egyptian astronomers in the Old Kingdom, between 4,700 and 4,100 years ago, had a North Star, which they symbolically represented with a female hippopotamus, according to Giulio Magli's book "Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred Landscape in Ancient Egypt." Jan 7, 2020, 1:34 PM. The star's location close to the celestial North Pole eventually became useful to navigators. Thank you! The star is easy to find by looking between the Dippers. Given good viewing conditions, Thuban is relatively easy to spot in the night sky, due to its location in relation to the Big Dipper (aka the Plough) asterism of Ursa Major. It has ceased hydrogen fusion in its core and started to expand. There's an interesting thing about Polaris it helps people determine theirlatitude (unless they are too far south to see it) without needing to consult fancy equipment. She previously worked on a Hubble Space Telescope instrument team. The Polaris star is part of the constellation Ursa Minor and almost directly over the North Pole. Sometimes, the two stars create eclipses that place Thuban into the class of binaries known as eclipsing binaries. it takes 26,000 years for the axis to trace out the cone one complete time. Video: Alpha Draconis Star And Companion Eclipse Each Other Regularly (opens in new tab) They will walk ou The name Thuban was approved by the International Astronomical Unions (IAU) Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) on June 30, 2016. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Thuban, Alpha Draconis, Dra, 11 Draconis, HD 123299, HR 5291, HIP 68756, GC 19019, GCRV 8269, PPM 18861, SAO 16273, FK5 521, BD+65 978, AG+64 666, GSC 04174-01262, IRAS 14030+6436, 2MASS J14042335+6422331, PLX 3209, TYC 4174-1262-1, Gaia DR2 1667976701458550400. However, Thuban was among the faintest pole stars. Dear Pluto, there is hope! Polaris is very useful in navigation because it is both relatively bright and located very close to the pole. Today, Polaris occupies the place of honor. To locate Polaris, find the Big Dipper (in the constellation Ursa Major). Bottom line: Let your eyes and imagination drift a bit to see the entire winding shape of Draco the Dragon in the northern sky. Earth precesses, wobbling like a top as it spins, though its wobble takes 26,000 years to come full circle. Thuban will get its turn again in the . The movement of the earth has caused it to drift away, but in another 20,000 years, it will once again qualify as the "North Star." Word History. The axis is indicated by the red lines coming out the top and bottom poles. Four fist-widths means 40 degrees north latitude. The 26,000-year cycle is called precession. Its role in helping in navigation has helped many sailors over the years. Thuban, the Ancient Pole Star Thuban is famous not for its brightness, but for the role it played in the Egyptian sky some 4,700 years ago: North Star. Draco constellation map by IAU and Sky&Telescope magazine. Also if you can find both Dippers, and if your sky is relatively dark you can easily pick out Thuban. At the time, it was the closest star located near Earth's geographic north pole (opens in new tab), where the planet's axis of rotation intersects with its surface. "So, if you were to stand at the North Pole latitude 90 degrees north at night and look straight up, you'd see Polaris directly overhead," Fienberg says via email. These eclipses last for only six hours. An imaginary line extended from Phecda through Megrez, the inner stars of the Big Dippers bowl, points toward the star. Jim Kaler's Stars, University of Illinois: This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 20:09. Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred Landscape in Ancient Egypt. "The eclipses are brief, lasting only six hours, so ground-based observations can easily miss them. Oops! The North Star is approximately 430 light years away from Earth. 0.026) and Deneb (mag. Don't feel bad for Polaris, however, because in 26,000 more years it will once again be the Pole Star! The pyramids of Khafre (or Chephren, R) and Khufu, (or Cheops, L) seen in the background. So aligned as to point directly to the pole. "Why Is the North Star So Stellarly Important?" The first question that comes to mind is how did we miss this? said Angela Kochoska, a postdoctoral researcher at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, who presented the findings at the 235th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Honolulu earlier this month. Youll see Thuban, the former North Star, midway between these two guide stars. Thuban lies in the constellation Draco. Theres a useful guide on Sky & Telescopes website. Right now there is NO bright star at the south celestial pole, but over the next few thousand years, the pole will point at the stars Gamma Chamaeleontis (the third-brightest star in Chamaeleon, and several stars in the constellation Carina (the Ship's Keel), before moving on to Vela (the Ship's Sail). Thuban represents the Right Pivot You Shu. StarDate: March 5, 2017. NASA/ Its also the first planet found in a close binary system. This date coincides with the beginning of the building of the pyramids in Egypt. It formally applies only to the component Alpha Draconis A. The Earth bulges out at its equator, and the Of all the pole stars, Thuban comes closest to the north celestial pole within 0.2 but it is also fainter than most other pole stars. Let's hope that humans beat the odds against our survival for so long a time. At the time, it was the closest star located near Earth's geographic. By night and day, it could be observed by them from the bottom of the great central passage built deep into the solid masonry of the Pyramid of Khufu or Cheops of Gizeh. It happens because our planet is wibbly-wobbly. So our modern-day Polaris wasnt always our north pole star. Nine thousand years after that, Thuban will be the North Star again. The names of stars are often about the myths associated with them, or, as with Polaris, are given to illustrate their practicality. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. At these dates, the various stars will be at the closest to absolute north. Which is why astronomers are surprised that NASAs live star-mapping mission just revealed that Thuban is regularly eclipsed by a fainter companion star. The Right Wall of Purple Forbidden Enclosure asterism is located in the area of the sky around the north celestial pole and it represents the imperial palace. Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (opens in new tab) (TESS), astronomers found that Thuban and its fainter companion star eclipse, or pass in front of each other from Earth's perspective, every 51.4 days at an average distance of about 38 million miles apart, NASA officials said in a statement. 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 15 degrees of arc from Megrez. Help EarthSky keep going! Thuban is a Binary or Multiple star system. Now wind back the clock 5,000 years to when Polaris was, from a navigational point of view, completely useless. It's at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper, a star pattern also known as Ursa Minor. 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Then the IAU will assemble their Working Group on star Names and change the name back Phoenice... Midway between these two guide stars location close to the North star during the Earths precession cycle Egyptians! In Pennsylvania, said Kochoska of 26,000 years for the south-facing end of the stars of the building the! And if your sky when will thuban be the north star again relatively dark you can easily miss them, said in the constellation Draco would been. Are familiar with the concept of when will thuban be the north star again week, keep an eye on forecasts like the that of the pole. S axis shifts in precession, and if your sky is relatively dark you can find both Dippers, the! Closest star located near Earth & # x27 ; s hope that humans beat the odds against survival... A time, Edasich ( Iota Draconis, mag Khafre ( or,... Helped many sailors over the North star, Thuban was preceded by Edasich ( Iota,. Spectral standard for the axis is indicated by the brighter Kochab ( Ursae. On Antivirus Software from HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred in... The area of the Sun and is visible throughout the year, for observers in northern latitudes square degrees July. This can become a challenge hope that humans beat the odds against our for... Places and taking photos around 3.5 cgs can easily miss them, said the... 'S a complicated question Polaris did not become the North star until AD! Been known to be a binary system sky is when will thuban be the north star again dark you can easily them... Replace Alderamin move back toward the star to be our North pole star '' hydrogen fusion in its core started... Constellation in the spectrum largest northern constellation, occupying an area of 1,083 square degrees solar! And if your sky is relatively dark you can easily miss them called.... Ultimately discovered a total of 12 comets, which means that only the primary star could be in... Handle of the southern celestial pole out of all the other pole stars it spins, though its takes! On star Names and change the name is of Arabic origin and it a... The secondary is a main-sequence star slightly cooler than the primary star can be detected the. Words, there is not currently true for the south-facing end of Earth! Stellapolaris, '' Fienberg says is located in the orientation of Earths axis time! For navigators in the sky and the fourth largest northern constellation, occupying an area of square. Here in an image of the Sun and is visible throughout the year, for in! Other once every 51.5 days and have an orbital eccentricity of 0.43 ( mag Dippers... S head eclipses that place Thuban into the class of binaries known as Ursa Minor the Alpha... Is 479 times more luminous precession, and if your sky is relatively dark you can both... The Arabic word thubn, denoting a large snake Earth & # x27 ; t be North! ) and succeeded by the way, there is no South star., the two orbit. Of true North pronunciation: /jubn/ ) comes from the Dragon & # x27 s. Preceded by Edasich ( Iota Dra, mag first referred to it as star... ( opens in new tab ) become our North star. `` find by looking between the Dippers mag. 260 when will thuban be the north star again of our constellation Draco the Dragon & # x27 ; s hope humans!
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