Here's why:
* Polaris is aligned with Earth's axis of rotation. This means it appears almost stationary in the sky, while all other stars appear to circle around it.
* Your latitude determines how far your location is from the equator.
* The angle between the horizon and Polaris is equal to your latitude.
For example:
* If you are at the equator (latitude 0 degrees), Polaris will be on the horizon.
* If you are at the North Pole (latitude 90 degrees), Polaris will be directly overhead.
* If you are in New York City (latitude 40.7 degrees), Polaris will be about 40.7 degrees above the horizon.
Important note: Polaris is not perfectly aligned with the Earth's axis, but it's very close. The difference is negligible for most practical purposes.
