Circumpolar zone

Definition

The circumpolar zone is a region of the sky where stars never set below the horizon, appearing to circle around the celestial pole. This zone varies depending on the observer's latitude on Earth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Circumpolar stars are always visible in the night sky and never rise or set.
2. The size of the circumpolar zone increases as you move closer to the poles.
3. At the North Pole, all visible stars are circumpolar, while at the equator, there are no circumpolar stars.
4. The circumpolar zone can be identified by locating Polaris in the Northern Hemisphere.
5. In ancient astronomy, circumpolar constellations were often used for navigation.

Review Questions

Related terms

Polaris:

The North Star, located nearly directly above Earth's northern axis.

Celestial Pole: Either of two points where Earth's axis intersects its celestial sphere.

Latitude:

The geographic coordinate that specifies north-south position on Earth’s surface.