Figure: An time-lapsed image of the northern circumpolar stars rotating around the north celestial pole and Polaris

Image 1 Caption: Gemini North is an 8-meter telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The north celestial pole (NCP) is very close to the location on the tip of the laser guide beam (which has been artifically been made visible). Polaris (α UMi) is probably of the brightest nearby stars to tip of the laser guide beam. The northern circumpolar stars are those that do not fall below the horizon as they execute their rotation in small circles around the NCP on the celestial sphere. No constellation can be identified.

Further explication:

1. The length of the star trails suggest the observation time was less than an hour.

2. One can see star rotation from a sufficiently northern latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.

   Of course, daylight makes it hard to see a complete rotation.

3. The off-and-on yellow lights are highlighting certain constellations: Cepheus (just counterclockwise of Cassiopeia), Draco (just counterclockwise of Cepheus), and the Little Dipper.

4. The altitude A of the NCP above due north equals the latitude L of the observer. Thus, A = L. Mauna Kea is at 19° 49 arcminutes 14 arseconds north latitude, and so altitude of the NCP is A = 19° 49 arcminutes 14 arseconds north latitude.

5. The circumpolar circle angular radius is the angular radius of the circumpolar circle centered on the NCP within which astronomical objects are circumpolar objects. The circumpolar circle angular radius obviously equals A = L.

   

6. Image 2 Caption: An old fashioned sky map showing the northen circumpolar sky to circumpolar circle angular radius about 60° which is declination about 30° north of the celestial equator. It can be examined in detail by clicking on it then clicking for enlargement.