ie;like the big dipper?
2006-08-27 18:49:03 · 6 answers · asked by realquietcool 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
YES! However, constellations of the far North, such as Ursa Major (of which the big dipper is a part) will not be visible very far south of the equator. Other constellations which are visible worldwide such as Orion definitely appear upside down as seen south of the equator.
By the way, this is also the case with our Moon.
2006-08-27 19:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by Search first before you ask it 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The answer is yes, although not for the Big Dipper, interestingly.
You can see it most noticeably with equatorial constellations like Orion which (from the Southern Hemisphere) rises with its Rigel-end up, and at its highest point stands due north in the sky with Betelgeuse down. Same for star groups like Leo, the Big Dog and Pegasus.
The moon rises with the Lady in the Moon facing the ground, and then the great crater Tycho at the top when the moon is its height. You can see "The Boy in the Moon," a view you wouldn't notice in the Northern Hemisphere.
The one who said that Southern Hemisphere observers see a completely different sky is mistaken, except for a few constellations near the south pole of the sky, such as the Southern Cross. They see all of the equatorial constellations that we Northerners see, but upside down.
By the way, the rule does not work for far northern constellations. On April nights, I see (from New York) the Big Dipper with the bowl facing down, the "empty" position. From Darwin or Rio de Janeiro, they also see the Dipper, bowl facing down. The reason we both see the same is that for me, the Dipper is circumpolar, that is, it can only be seen in the northern part of the sky from anyplace outside the Arctic Circle. Since we both look northward, we see the Dipper the same way. But for Orion, I look south. They look north. So Southern observers see Orion on its head.
2006-08-28 05:27:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Marie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
um, you can see the constellations in any 2D orientation you like even in the northern hemisphere by looking up and then rotating your body. the same holds true in the southern hemisphere. unless of course what you mean by upside down south of the equator is to ask if you have too look down at your feet to see the stars...
2006-08-28 02:12:24 · answer #3 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no they have an entirely different night sky
2006-08-28 01:54:19 · answer #4 · answered by rcsanandreas 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but you have to do a headstand first. He he!
2006-08-28 01:52:20 · answer #5 · answered by John Blix 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
nope
2006-08-28 01:54:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋