Figure: Sky map of the north celestial pole sky

Caption: Sky map for the North Pole sky. Click on sky_map_unlabeled_polar.pdf for the pdf file.

Further explication:

1. Since we are at the North Pole (90° north latitude), the celestial equator coincides with the horizon.

   The is sky map doesn NOT extend to the celestial equator/horizon.

2. The equatorial coordinate right ascension (RA) increases going east along the celestial equator from its zero point vernal equinox. The vernal equinox is both the point where ecliptic crosses the celestial equator and also the event when the Sun traveling along the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator.

3. The vernal equinox happens on about Mar21.

4. Right ascension is given in the funny angle units of hours: 1 hour = 15°.

5. The equatorial coordinate declination (Dec) is measured from the celestial equator along great circles that pass through the north celestial pole (NCP) and south celestial pole (SCP).

6. Because we are the North Pole, the NCP is at zenith.