answersLogoWhite

0

Also known as the North Star, Polaris, is located within one degree of the north celestial pole - the point of Earth's axis of rotation. This means that the Earth's (geographic) north pole is pointing almost exactly to the point in the sky where Polaris is located. For this reason, Polaris can be seen by anyone in the northern hemisphere throughout the year.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Why can we only see the constellations in the north of the celestial sphere?

This is true if you live in the northern hemisphere. You can't see the southern stars because the bulk of the Earth is in the way. Different constellations are visible in each hemisphere, a constellation in the northern sky can be difficult or impossible to see from the southern hemisphere of the Earth, and vice versa. The reason is that the axis of the Earth's rotation is fairly constant. In its annual journey around the Sun it generally points in the same direction; people in the northern hemisphere will generally see the same constellations year round, and the same in the southern hemisphere. Those living near the equator see some of both. The tilt of the Earth's axis also makes some constellations somewhat seasonal, because of a slight change of the viewer's angle to the night sky.


Who introdous the oldest descriptionof the constellation?

The first constellations were, we believe, invented by the ancient Babylonians and Sumerians, and perhaps the Phoenicians. These were to give people a way to refer to the stars and constellations, and provided a heavenly anchor for their stories. Most of the northern hemisphere constellation names that we use today were invented, or adapted, by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The southern hemisphere constellations were largely named by sailors and mariners. It's likely that the people who lived in these southern lands had names of their own for the constellations and stars, but few of those are still in use.


Is Greece in the northern hemisphere?

sort of. some people say that its in the eastern hemisphere. that's because its in both, but research proves that its mostly in the northern hemisphere even though most of Europe (Greece's continent) is in the eastern hemisphere.


How do northern and southern hemisphere differ for hurricance?

There is no such thing as a hurricane! What is your problem people. GET REAL!! Like sereiously, who would want to know "how the northern and southern hemisphere differ for hurricane"? Well the answer is that hurricanes are not real, they are a mith.


How did the vikings use the north star to navigate?

The Earth's rotation axis points to the northern star (to a degree of so). So the northern star always points north. More people that just the vikings used this method, and it is still used today by people (but GPS and compasses are also used today).

Related Questions

Can people in the southern hemisphere see the same constellations as people in the northern hemisphere?

No. One of the better known constellations in the northern hemisphere is the big dipper. People in the southern hemisphere can't see this. In the south the well known constellation is the southern cross, and you can't see this in the northern hemisphere.


Where did the constellations from the northern hemisphere get their names?

From patterns that people thought they saw in them. There isn't any really super deep significance to it.


What do southern hemisphere call northern hemisphere people?

northern hemisphere people


How do fishermen use constellations?

The constellation Ursa Minor, the little bear, contains the star Polaris which, in modern times appears to remain stationary above the North Pole. This can help people in the Northern hemisphere locate the northward direction.There are other constellations which rise and set at different times of the night in different seasons. This information can be ueful in telling the time.


Do we live in the northern hemisphere or southern hemisphere?

People live in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.


What star helps people navigate in the northern hemisphere?

Polaris, the 'North Star', which never sets, and indicates the direction of north. Polaris is the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper, Ursa Minor. ('Little Bear,')


Why can we only see the constellations in the north of the celestial sphere?

This is true if you live in the northern hemisphere. You can't see the southern stars because the bulk of the Earth is in the way. Different constellations are visible in each hemisphere, a constellation in the northern sky can be difficult or impossible to see from the southern hemisphere of the Earth, and vice versa. The reason is that the axis of the Earth's rotation is fairly constant. In its annual journey around the Sun it generally points in the same direction; people in the northern hemisphere will generally see the same constellations year round, and the same in the southern hemisphere. Those living near the equator see some of both. The tilt of the Earth's axis also makes some constellations somewhat seasonal, because of a slight change of the viewer's angle to the night sky.


Are there more people in southern hemisphere or northern hemisphere?

There are more people living in the northern hemisphere compared to the southern hemisphere. This is because the majority of the world's population is concentrated in countries located in the northern half of the globe.


Can same star constellations be seen from Europe and Australia?

Some of them, yes. Constellations along the Zodiac can be seen from either hemisphere, but constellations well away from the celesial equator cannot be seen very far in the other hemisphere. For example, Ursa Major is not visible in Australia, and the Southern Cross is not visible in Europe or North America. Most of the "official" constellations were named by northern hemisphere astronomers, or European navigators sailing in southern waters. Look at how many southern hemisphere constellations have a nautical theme; the Telescope, the Octant, the Quadrant. Even Cetus, the Whale, was named by sailors, not people who LIVED there.


Why can't people in the north hemisphere see all constellations throughout the year?

It is because of the rotation and revolution of the Earth's axis.The Earth goes to one side of its orbit this causes the other constellations to be blocked by the sun. The change in location makes other constellations out of sight. The Earth goes away from these constellations that's why we can't see them.


What constellations does polaris help people find?

Ursa major and Ursa minor


What hemisphere do people in America live in?

Western and Northern hemisphere