Stargazer: Polaris
None More North
Polaris is a bright star located in line with the Earth's north celestial pole, meaning it appears from the Earth to occupy a fixed position directly overhead of the North Pole. This has allowed its use for millennia as a navigational aid to travelers in the northern hemisphere, and it has been noted as such throughout human history. Its proper Latin name in modern times is Alpha Ursae Minoris, denoting its status as the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is now known that Polaris as we see it is actually a system of three gravitationally-bound stars in close proximity to each other.
To determine the location of this cache, choose the correct answer the following:
What is Polaris's apparent magnitude? (Use figure for Polaris-A if available)
1.05: N 40° 13.005 W 074° 32.306
1.98: N 40° 13.091 W 074° 32.269
2.66: N 40° 13.020 W 074° 32.212
3.00: N 40° 12.911 W 074° 32.514
About the UTT:
This cache is located along the Union Transportation Trail, a 9-mile rail trail that stretches the height of rural Upper Freehold, NJ. Originally a railroad line, the land was later acquired by JCP&L and then leased for recreational purposes by Monmouth County Parks. The section where the cache is located was the most recent to be completed, opening to public access in 2017. The county parks department administers its authority over the 50-foot-wide trail corridor, beyond which is the Assunpink WMA administered by the NJDEP; cachers are reminded to stay on the trail and to conduct no caching activities on WMA land, as per NJDEP rules. County parks property is open sunrise to sunset.
Parking is available along the trail at the Herbert Rd crossing, or in a small pull-off just west of the trail on Old York Rd.