The Lode Star is generally taken to mean Polaris. This is because lodestones of the occident generally pointed North. The star at the North Celestial Pole is Alpha Ursae Minoris or Polaris, hence it is called the Lode Star. However the compass was invented in China and chinese compasses point South, so do not point to the Lode Star. The closest Lode Star for this compass would be Sigma Octantis.
Last updated: 05-10-2005 13:44:32