Expert: Paul Wagner - 5/31/2011

Question
QUESTION: Does the southern hemisphere have the same constellation viewings as the northern hemisphere? I am specifically interested in if they see the same 12 zodiacs as we do.


I heard they do not see the northern star??? And have there own constellations unique to them.


Also, are all 8 of our planets viewable from earth, including pluto?

ANSWER: HI Sarah

Yep--the zodiac is the same for both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres....because it is more or less in line with the equator, and can be seen from both North and South.  But there are constellations in the Southern Hemisphere, to the South of the zodiac, that we can't see up here in North America.  And the constellations in the far northern section of our sky are hard to see from deep in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hope that helps!

Paul Wagner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you that does help. What about the second half of the question, regarding the planets. Can we see all 8 of our planets, including Pluto from earth, using a telescope of course?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Sarah

Sorry about that!  I got see interested in the first part that I didn't see that last part of the question!

Yes, the planets are visible from both Hemispheres---in fact, they almost all follow a path in the sky that is just about the same as the zodiac...that's how astrologer's connected the sun, moon, planets, and those constellations.  The zodiac is the belt of constellations that the planets seem to follow as they move in the skye.

YOu can see Venua, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter with your naked eye---and Mercury too, but you have to be paying attention to see that one.  Nepture, Uranus usually need binoculars, and to see Pluto ( no longer a planet, I am sorry to say!) you'll need a pretty serious telescope.  But all are visible from both Hemispheres.

Paul Wagner