what are the circumpolar constellations?

Answer 1

Circumpolar Constellations never rise or set. On the north pole all stars to the horizon are visible. The same goes for the south pole to the horizon. In Chicago 42 degrees the constellations from the northern axis to 42 degrees (horizon) never rise or set. They rotate around the axis. The closest star to the axis this point and time is Polaris (Northern Hemisphere). The stars revolve around Polaris the entire time.

To name a few

Northern Hemisphere:
Ursa Minor
Camelopardalis
Cepheus
Cassiopeia
Ursa Major (includes the Big Dipper)
Draco
Lynx
Perseus
Auriga

Southern Hemisphere:
Carina
Centaurus
Southern Cross

Answer 2

Circumpolar constellations are those that never set (or rise) above or below the horizon. Here (Australia), the Southern Cross or Crux, never sets, so it's circumpolar. Melbourne's latitude is 38 S, and the bright star Canopus has a declination is -38, so it's just barely circumpolar, and appears to just graze the southern horizon. People in the southern hemisphere have different circumpolar constellations to those in the north: if where you live for example has a latitude of 40N, all consellations with a declination of +40 or more will be circumpolar...

Answer 3

Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Draco, Cassiopeia, Cepheus. Circumpolar constellations are ones that never set, but this depends on the observer's latitude,

Viewed from the equator, there are no circumpolar constellations.

In the Southern hemisphere, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of our Milky Way galaxy, are visible on most clear, moonless nights throughout the year. These "clouds" are circumpolar, appearing to circle the pole throughout the year, As do Crux, the Southern Cross and Centaurus, both circumpolar constellations.

Answer 4

They are the constellations that appear to never rise or set from your latitude. They are close to the celestial pole. But like others said, which ones are circumpolar depends on your latitude.

Here in Massachusetts, the Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major) is circumpolar, but in South Florida the Big Dipper goes below the horizon, so it isn't circumpolar.

Answer 5

Depends on how far north you are. For most purposes, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor would be included. Cassiopeia and Andromeda may be counted also, I'd have to look at a star chart to name more. If you are at the North Pole, all the constellation north of 0 degrees declination are circumpolar.

Answer 6

a circumpolar constellation to an observer somewhere on earth is one that never sets. you'd definitely do better with a globe to explain. at the North Pole, practically all the northern hemisphere stars will be visible the entire evening, so every complete constellation you see will be circumpolar. the farther south from the North Pole you stand, the closer the North Star will be to the northern horizon and the greater the number of stars/constellations that will actually rise and set. probably the easiest way would be to take them to a planetarium, though.