Most constellations can only be seen in the night sky in certain months. The exceptions are the circumpolar constellations, which stay above the horizon all year round. If you would like to see your star at a particular time of year, choose a suitable constellation when you name your star.
Why constellations are only visible at certain times
Over the course of a year, the Earth travels once around the Sun. Depending on the season, the Sun therefore stands between the Earth and certain constellations. These constellations are then in the sky during the day and set at night. Because it is too bright during the day, they cannot be seen in those months. Half a year later they stand high in the night sky.
Circumpolar constellations
Circumpolar constellations are so close to the celestial pole that they never set. Clearly visible all year round from Berlin are: Camelopardalis (Giraffe), Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco (Dragon), Ursa Major (Great Bear) and Ursa Minor (Little Bear). The Pole Star belongs to Ursa Minor, and the Plough is part of Ursa Major. From Sydney, the same applies to: Apus (Bird of Paradise), Chamaeleon (Chameleon), Hydrus (Lesser Water Snake), Mensa (Table Mountain), Musca (Fly), Octans (Octant), Triangulum Australe (Southern Triangle) and Volans (Flying Fish).
How to read the table
The table shows in which months each of the 88 constellations can be seen at 10 pm local time, using Berlin as the example for the northern hemisphere and Sydney for the southern hemisphere. A constellation counts as visible in a month if its centre is at least 12° above the horizon on at least one day, and as partly visible if only some of its stars reach this altitude. The values for Berlin are a good approximation for the whole of Central Europe.
From Berlin, 50 of the 88 constellations are visible in at least one month. 35 constellations of the southern sky never rise high enough there. You will find them in the table with a grey bar for the northern sky.
Visibility of all 88 constellations
No constellations for this selection.
