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Draco and the Five Circumpolar Constellations

The constellation Ursa Minor contains the bright pole star Polaris, also known as the North Star. Ursa Minor belongs to a group of five star formations known as circumpolar constellations. A circumpolar constellation stays above the horizon night and day and circles the north celestial pole. There are five such constellations, divided into two groups by the Iowa State University Polaris Projects. The first group contains Draco, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor; the second group contains Cepheus and Cassiopeia.

Circumpolar Defintion
- The circumpolar star groups are different than other constellations because they are in the same place every night regardless of season. These constellations make a circular voyage around the pole star every 24 hours. The constellations never set below the horizon, making them visible night after night, year after year.
Constellation Group One
- Iowa State University's Polaris Project divides the five circumpolar constellations into two groups. Group one contains Draco, Ursa Minor and Ursa Major. Ursa Major is part of the Big Dipper, and the star cluster resembles a large bear in the night sky. Polaris is actually part of Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Bear constellation. In the very tip of the tail in Ursa Minor shines Polaris, marking the celestial north pole with precision. The last constellation in group one is Draco the dragon. Draco is visible in the night sky in the northern latitudes.
Constellation Group Two
- The second circumpolar constellation group holds Cepheus and Cassiopeia. Cepheus marks the 27th largest star cluster in the night sky and contains one star that has verified planets associated with it. Cassiopeia is a bit larger than Cepheus, being the 25th largest star constellation. Cassiopeia contains two Messier objects: M103 and M52. The constellation also contains stars with verified planets and the Perseid meteor shower. Cepheus and Cassiopeia, which are close together in the night sky, are nicknamed the king and queen.
Mythology Surrounding Draco
- There is much lore and mythology surrounding the constellation Draco the Dragon. Chinese tales tell of a powerful dragon, represented by the constellation Draco, that eats the moon or the sun during an eclipse. Ancient Chinese people banged together pots and pans to scare away the dragon. In Norse mythology, Draco eats away at a tree that covers the earth. Roman mythology identified Draco as Ladon, the dragon guarding a tree with golden apples. Mythology surrounding Draco dates back as far as 5,000 years ago.

Astronomy