Small circle of spinning dots at top of screen

I really don’t think there’s anything wrong, nor do I think I’m having any issues while the circle is there spinning, but I just want to know why it’s there, what it actually means. It’s not always there.

I see it most often when I’m listening to music. I also see it below when choosing between music on the phone or on the watch.

does anyone know what it means? I don’t always see it. And I’ve tried to keep track of what I’m doing differently when it’s not there to when it is there. But I just can’t figure it out.