Mira vs Polaris

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

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.

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