Polestar is a guiding principle and also a model of electric car, while polecat is a nickname for a skunk and commonly used in the Old West and in cartoons.  

2 hours ago, Bill W said:

Polestar is a guiding principle and also a model of electric car, while polecat is a nickname for a skunk and commonly used in the Old West and in cartoons.  

I had no idea it was a car. Thank you! I learn so much here, in these posts and their follow-up comments. ☺️

Polaris is a triple-star variable 433 light years away in Ursa Minor.

The primary star, Alpha Ursae Minoris Aa is a F7Ib Cepheid variable.

Alpha Ursae Minoris Ab is a F6b.

Alpha Ursae Minoris B is a F3V.