Pole star (Polaris) motion: at western elongation, in which cardinal sense does the pole star appear to move around the celestial pole for a northern observer?

Introduction / Context:
Polaris (the pole star) traces a small circle around the North Celestial Pole due to Earth’s rotation. Understanding its apparent motion at key positions—upper and lower culmination, eastern and western elongations—is useful in field astronomy and azimuth determinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Northern hemisphere observer looking toward the north.
• “Western elongation” means Polaris is at its maximum angular distance west of the meridian (on the west side of the circle around the pole).
• Apparent stellar motion is counterclockwise around the pole when viewed from the northern hemisphere.

Concept / Approach:
Stars appear to rotate counterclockwise about the North Celestial Pole. At the westernmost point of the circular path (western elongation), the instantaneous direction of motion is tangential and points generally toward the north (upward in the sky diagram), whereas at eastern elongation it is toward the south.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Draw the small circle of Polaris around the pole.Mark W (left), E (right), N (top), S (bottom) relative to the pole in the sky diagram.Follow counterclockwise motion: at the westernmost point, the tangent points upward (northward).Hence, at western elongation, Polaris is moving northward.

Verification / Alternative check:
Symmetry: at eastern elongation it moves southward; at upper culmination it moves eastward; at lower culmination it moves westward—consistent with a counterclockwise circular track.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Southward is the direction at eastern elongation; eastward or westward correspond to culminations rather than elongations.

Common Pitfalls:
Mistaking cardinal directions on the sky diagram or assuming clockwise motion.

Final Answer:
Northward