The constellations in the south sky are only visible for part of the year and are grouped as either summer or winter constellations. The circumpolar constellations are in the north sky, appear to move around the north star and are visible throughout the year. Northern hemisphere stargazers can group constellations into 3 groups circumpolar, summer and winter constellations. When looking at stars it is important to be aware of what is within your view. Constellations from the southern hemisphere, unable to be seen from the Mediterranean, represent the majority of additions to the list.Īs the earth moves in its orbit around the sun, each night you are looking at a different portion of the sky. These constellations formed the basis for the modern list agreed by the IAU. She was the wife of King Cepheus, the mother of Andromeda, and the mother in law of Perseus.Ĭassiopeia constellation is one of the original 48 constellations listed by the Egyptian mathematician Ptolemy, who lived under Roman rule in Alexandria in the 2nd century. The constellation is visible year around in the northern hemisphere and is such considered a circumpolar constellation as it appears to rotate around the north star.Ĭassiopeia is linked to many other constellations through Greek mythology.

There are 5 bright stars in close proximity which makes it one of two main methods of identifying the polar north star of Polaris. Queen Cassiopeia of Aethiopia is one of the most recognisable constellations because of its prominence in the north sky.

The constellation cassiopeia