SIMBAD references

We present an analysis of 67 recent spectra of α UMi (Polaris) obtained in 2017 August-2018 May. Frequency analysis reveals an increase in the pulsation period to 3^ d^_.970662 relative to our 2016/17 observations. The radial velocity amplitude was found to be 3.87 km s^–1 in the last half of 2017, but dropped to 2.80 km s^–1 during the first half of 2018. In comparison with 4.16 km s^–1 observed by us in 2015, the observations reveal a new decrease in pulsation amplitude. Such a result is unexpected given that a gradual amplitude growth was evident during the last decade. The average values of T_ eff_ were found to be 6017 K and 6039 K, respectively, but the T_ eff_ amplitude has increased despite the decrease in radial velocity amplitude. Possibly that could be explained by the presence of starspots on the Cepheid's surface.