Constellations in the sky

Eighty-eight. The list and the names were approved by the International Astronomical Union in 1922, and the exact boundaries between the constellations in 1928: now every point of the sky belongs to exactly one constellation.

At mid-northern latitudes (52° N), 65 of the 88 constellations rise at least partly above the horizon, and 9 of them never set. From further south, e.g. 40° N, you can see more: another 8. The remaining 15 lie near the south celestial pole and can only be seen from southern latitudes.

At mid-northern latitudes (52° N) these never set: Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Lacerta, Perseus, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor.

Over a year the Earth goes around the Sun, and at night we look in the direction opposite the Sun. Over the year this direction turns full circle, so each season opens up its own part of the sky. The constellations near Polaris are always visible — they simply circle around it.

A constellation is best seen when it is highest above the horizon in the evening, around 22:00. The table below gives this month for each of the 88 constellations: for example, Orion — in winter (January), Leo — in spring (March), Cygnus — in summer (August), Pegasus — in autumn (September).