拱极星座是一些在恒显圈内永不没入地平线下的星座，这些星座会随着观察者的纬度而有所不同，纬度愈高，拱极星座愈多。

以北半球为例，假设观察者纬度是φ，那么赤纬大于90°-φ天区永不没入地平线下（在恒显圈内），该纬度的观察者一年四季都可看见那些星座随地球自转而围绕北天极（北极星）作周日视运动。

对于北半球中纬度（40°N-50°N）而言，拱极星座有小熊座、大熊座、天龙座、仙王座、仙后座和鹿豹座。对于南半球中纬度（40°S-50°S）来说则为南极座（南天极所在）、天燕座、山案座、蝘蜓座等，由于南天极星座没有太明亮的恒星，所以不太受注目。

In astronomy, the circumpolar constellations are constellations that never set from the viewer's perspective. Considered a very important effect in astronomy, it is different from seasonal constellations. Circumpolar constellations stay in the sky.

Because of the rotation of the Earth and its orbit around the Sun, we divide the stars and constellations into two groups. Some stars and constellations never rise nor set, and they are called circumpolar. All the rest are divided into seasonal stars and constellations. Which stars and constellations will be circumpolar and which seasonal depends on your latitude. In the northern hemisphere, we will always be able to see stars and constellations in the northern circumpolar sky, while in the southern hemisphere, we will always be able to see stars and constellations in the southern circumpolar sky.