Which star is notably part of the asterism known as the Northern Cross?

The Northern Cross is a prominent asterism located within the constellation Cygnus. Deneb is the most significant star in this asterism and serves as the top point of the cross, representing the tail of the swan in the mythological depiction of Cygnus. Its position in the heavens makes it easily identifiable, especially during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.

Deneb is not only the brightest star in Cygnus but also one of the brightest stars in the night sky overall. It is a blue supergiant located approximately 1,425 light-years from Earth, which also contributes to its brightness. Additionally, as part of the Summer Triangle asterism, Deneb is widely recognized by both amateur and experienced astronomers, adding to its prominence in celestial navigation.

In contrast, the other stars mentioned do not belong to the Northern Cross asterism. Canopus, for example, is a southern hemisphere star and is part of the constellation Carina. Betelgeuse is located in the constellation Orion, positioned far from Cygnus. Pollux is a star in the constellation Gemini, which further differentiates it from the Northern Cross. Thus, Deneb’s role in the Northern Cross as a leading characteristic star