If you stand on the equator can you see the Pole Star & Southern Cross at the same or even at different times?

Answer 1

Theoretically they are both visible...but not all the time. Remember, neither the Southern Cross nor Polaris are exactly at the pole (Polaris is much closer, but still is close to a degree away). Because of atmospheric refraction Polaris will seem to be higher above the horizon than it really is. Now, because the Southern Cross is a circumpolar constellation for southern observers, there are times when it is not above the horizon at the equator, so at such times the two entities will not appear in the sky at the same time.

Answer 2

You can see them both in the sky at the same time, although probably not from the equator.

At the equator, the pole star is just about along the horizon at the equator. It's hard to spot.

You could, however, go someplace north of the equator, say to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. There, on spring evenings, you can see the Pole Star about 20 degrees above the northern horizon, and the Southern Cross about 10 degrees above the southern!

Answer 3

In theory, you can see stars in the other hemisphere up to declination = (90 - your latitude).
So, at the equator, you can see up to declination 90 (North and South).

Polaris has a declination of 89˚18' so it should reach a little less than one degree above the norther horizon (at 2h 41m local sidereal time).

Seeing the Southern Cross depends on being able to see the southernmost star of the cross: Accrux at declination 63˚08' S.

It should reach a maximum altitude of a little under 27˚ at 12h27m local sidereal time.

In theory, Polaris "sets" at 8h41 (LST) and Accrux rises at 6h27 (LST) so it is possible to see both Polaris and the Southern Cross for two hours each day (starting at 6h30 sidereal time ). However, at some times of the year, this period will be during the day.

The toughest one will be Polaris because it is not very bright AND there is lots of extinction near the horizon (refraction and humidity in the air).

I saw both at the same time last month, at 4h45 local standard time (not sidereal time) when I was at latitude 21 N, near the island of Hawaii (I had set the alarm clock for 4h30 all that week because I wanted to see the southern cross, which I cannot see from my home at 45 N).

On that one morning, the sky was clear and I saw the southern cross. I walked a bit around the deck (waiting for breakfast) and I saw the Big Dipper and I remember following the guide stars to Polaris (I even saw the Little Dipper, which is difficult from town).

Answer 4

The southernmost part of Crux is about 66° south, so you can see both it and Polaris from the equator to about 24° north.

Answer 5

you cant see polaris from the equator

Answer 6

and in jamaica the moon wanes from top to bottom and in australia the man in the moon is upside down........ how so weird is that