Polaris is about the same temperature of the Sun, but is Polaris brighter or dimmer than our Sun?BrighterDimmer

Polaris, also known as the North Star, is indeed similar in temperature to the Sun, but it is significantly brighter.

1. Luminosity Comparison: Polaris is classified as a supergiant star, specifically a type F supergiant. It has a much greater luminosity than the Sun. In fact, Polaris is about 2,500 times more luminous than our Sun.

2. Magnitude Scale: When comparing stars, astronomers often use the apparent magnitude scale. Polaris has an apparent magnitude of about 1.97, while the Sun has an apparent magnitude of approximately -26.74. This indicates that while the Sun appears much brighter from Earth due to its proximity, Polaris is intrinsically much brighter when considered at similar distances.

3. Distance from Earth: The Sun is about 93 million miles away, while Polaris is approximately 433 light years away. Therefore, despite the Sun being much brighter when observed from Earth, Polaris is indeed a much more luminous star in terms of energy output.

In conclusion, when considering the intrinsic brightness (luminosity) of the stars, Polaris is substantially "brighter" than our Sun. So, the answer is Brighter.