Thuban (Alpha Draconis; a Dra)

A third magnitude star in the constellation Draco. Despite its designation as Alpha, it is only the seventh-brightest star in Draco. About 5,000 years ago Thuban was the nearest bright star to the north celestial pole. (The location of the north pole among the stars changes slowly over time because of precession.) The name, derived from Arabic, means "dragon".