Camelopardalis constellation
Camelopardalis (the Giraffe) is a constellation in the northern sky, best seen in the evening in February. Its brightest star is β Camelopardalis (magnitude 4.03). Camelopardalis covers 757 square degrees and is the 18th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Camelopardalis
Facts
| Latin name | Camelopardalis (genitive: Camelopardalis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Cam |
| Meaning | the Giraffe |
| Area | 757 square degrees (18th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 6.1 h, declination +73° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 4° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | February (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | β Camelopardalis |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 75 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Auriga, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Lynx, Perseus, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor |
How to find Camelopardalis
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Camelopardalis is circumpolar: it never sets and is visible all night, all year, highest in the north about 57° above the horizon in February evenings. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it stays below the horizon. The months before and after (January and March) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Camelopardalis borders Auriga, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Lynx, Perseus, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Stars of Camelopardalis
Camelopardalis has 75 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | β Camelopardalis | 4.03 | G1Ib-IIa | — |
| — | HR 1035 | 4.21 | B9Ia | — |
| — | α Camelopardalis | 4.29 | O9.5Ia | — |
| — | 7 Camelopardalis | 4.47 | A1V | — |
| — | HR 1155 | 4.47 | M2+IIab | — |
Printable Camelopardalis map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Camelopardalis figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Camelopardalis is introduced by the Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius around 1600. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Camelopardalis
What is the brightest star in Camelopardalis?
β Camelopardalis, at magnitude 4.03.
When can you see Camelopardalis?
Camelopardalis is best seen in the evening in February. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 4° S.
How many stars are in Camelopardalis?
75 stars in Camelopardalis are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 1 of them have official IAU names.
What does Camelopardalis mean?
Camelopardalis means “the Giraffe” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Cam and the genitive, used in star names such as β Camelopardalis, is Camelopardalis.
