polestar
Axis-aligned celestial guide
Polestar is a star located near the celestial pole, used for navigation because it remains nearly fixed while other stars appear to rotate around it.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this is Polaris.
Figuratively, a polestar is any guiding principle or fixed reference point: Justice was the polestar of her career.
Celestial north marker
- Ursa MinorNorthern circumpolar constellation
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
- celestialOf the sky above
- night skyDarkness above after sunset
stargazing · astronomy · magnitude · luminosity · telescope · observatory · astrophysics · circumpolar
Celestial navigation reference
- beaconGuiding light source
- guiding lightInspirational moral influence
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- principleFundamental truth or standard
ideal · touchstone · standard · mentor · exemplar · moral compass · direction · purpose
Device showing cardinal directions
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
- bearingPosture or orientation
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
celestial navigation · astrolabe · waypoint · orienteering · cartography · landmark · true north · magnetic north
Polaris
Celestial north marker
- Ursa MinorNorthern circumpolar constellation
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
- celestialOf the sky above
night sky · stargazing · astronomy · magnitude · luminosity · telescope · observatory · astrophysics · circumpolar · lodestar
lodestar
Celestial navigation reference
- beaconGuiding light source
- guiding lightInspirational moral influence
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
principle · ideal · touchstone · standard · mentor · exemplar · moral compass · direction · purpose · aspiration
compass
Device showing cardinal directions
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
- bearingPosture or orientation
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
longitude · celestial navigation · astrolabe · waypoint · orienteering · cartography · landmark · true north · magnetic north · azimuth
mariner
One who navigates ships
helm · ship · ocean · nautical · sextant · compass rose · bearing · night watch · crossing · passage
polestarwandering star
Heavenly body that moves
planet · wanderer · comet · meteor · shooting star
polestaroffshoot
Derivative outgrowth
distraction · tangent · annex · red herring · digression