Mira vs Polaris
Mira is barely the same kind of target: +6.47 against +1.97, 63 times fainter. Absolute magnitudes of −3.64 for Polaris and +1.66 for Mira put a factor near 132 between their true outputs. Polaris is an F-type star, while Mira is an M-type star.
Property comparison
| Property | Mira | Polaris |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | 68Omi Cet | 1Alp UMi |
| Constellation | N/A | N/A |
| Spectral Class | Class M — M-type (Red) | Class F — F-type (Yellow-White) |
| Apparent Magnitude | +6.47 | +1.97 |
| Absolute Magnitude | 1.66 | -3.64 |
| Distance | 299 ly | 433 ly |
| Mass | N/A | N/A |
| Radius | N/A | N/A |
| Temperature | N/A | N/A |
| Luminosity | N/A | N/A |
Full data for each star: Mira · Polaris
Key differences
Key Differences
- ◆ Both are famous variable stars in the northern sky, though entirely different types.
- ◆ Polaris is a Cepheid variable that pulsates predictably and was used to calibrate the Cepheid distance ladder.
- ◆ Mira is a long-period Mira-type variable that can range from naked-eye visibility to complete invisibility.
- ◆ Polaris is celebrated as the North Star for its positional stability near the pole; Mira is celebrated as the first recognized variable star (1596).
- ◆ Polaris's pulsation amplitude has been shrinking over the past century; Mira continues its large-amplitude cycle.