He noted that it was impossible to see the star Polaris from there.

The Earth's axis is currently (but not permanently) pointed, to within a fraction of 1 degree (angle), toward the bright star Polaris.

Thus, while today the star Polaris lies approximately at the north celestial pole, this will change over time, and other stars will become the "north star".

The Earth's axis however has not moved, it is still pointed to the same patch of sky, near the star Polaris.

The Northern Celestial pole is currently (but not permanently) within a fraction of 1 degree of the bright star Polaris.

Eventually a breakaway group of humans left the Colonial Council and settled planets beyond the star Polaris, taking that name for their people.

It was used in former centuries when, because of precession, the star Polaris was much further from the celestial North Pole than it is now.

It is about 30 times fainter than the star Polaris.

The planet is in orbit around the star Polaris (although is sometimes quoted as being in the Polaris Galaxy).

And of course the star Polaris was in the constellation of Ursa Minor, the Small Bear, right in the tail.