11/29/2023 0 Comments Define stellarium![]() Ursa Major, the largest of all northern constellations, is known for (and sometimes confused with) the Big Dipper, the smaller Ursa Minor contains the slightly fainter Little Dipper, and Cassiopeia is easily recognized for its prominent W asterism.ĭraco and Cepheus, which are located in the same region in the sky, are not as widely known in spite of their size. Three of these constellations are very easy to find in the night sky because they are dominated by familiar asterisms, formed by their brightest stars. The constellations Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor are found circling Polaris, the North Star, located in Ursa Minor. Northern circumpolar constellations, image: Roberto Mura Other constellations are just as prominent in the sky and can be seen for most of the year, but only these eight are circumpolar. The three southern circumpolar constellations visible from most locations in the southern hemisphere are Carina, Centaurus, and Crux. The five northern constellations visible from most locations north of the equator throughout the year are Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor. All circumpolar constellations are found near the celestial poles and, due to their proximity to the poles, they never disappear from view. The term circumpolar refers to constellations and stars that are circling the north and south celestial poles without ever dipping below the horizon. They can be seen in the night sky throughout the year, while other constellations are seasonal, visible only at certain times of year. Circumpolar constellations are constellations that never set below the horizon when seen from a particular location on Earth.
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