Camelopardalis constellation
Camelopardalis is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the giraffe. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 24 November, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 11°S.
Camelopardalis at a glance
- Represents
- the giraffe
- Highest at midnight
- 24 November
- Highest at 9 pm
- 8 January
- Seen whole from
- 90°N to 11°S
- Stars in the figure
- 5 stars
- Origin
- 16th or 17th century
When to see Camelopardalis
Camelopardalis is highest in the sky at midnight around 24 November and at 9 pm around 8 January. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 8:30 pm |
| 15 February | 6:30 pm |
| 15 March | 4:40 pm |
| 15 April | 2:40 pm |
| 15 May | 12:40 pm |
| 15 June | 10:40 am |
| 15 July | 8:40 am |
| 15 August | 6:40 am |
| 15 September | 4:40 am |
| 15 October | 2:40 am |
| 15 November | 12:40 am |
| 15 December | 10:30 pm |
Where to look for Camelopardalis
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Camelopardalis never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on 24 November, 62° above the northern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Camelopardalis never rises. You need to be north of 30°S to see any of it.
Brightest stars in Camelopardalis
None of the stars of Camelopardalis is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 4.
Camelopardalis in myth and history
European astronomers added Camelopardalis in the 16th or 17th century.
Constellations next to Camelopardalis
Find Camelopardalis in your sky
Questions about Camelopardalis
Camelopardalis is highest in the sky at midnight around 24 November and at 9 pm around 8 January. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Camelopardalis rises above the horizon from 90°N to 11°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 30°S.
Camelopardalis represents the giraffe. European astronomers added Camelopardalis in the 16th or 17th century.