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Chapter 2: Problem 10

Why can't a person in Antarctica use the Big Dipper to find the north direction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Big Dipper constellation is not visible in the Southern Hemisphere, where Antarctica is located. This is mainly due to Earth's tilt and rotation. Thus, it cannot be used to locate the Northern direction from Antarctica.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding The Big Dipper Constellation

The Big Dipper is a well-known constellation that is always visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and it's used by people to find the North direction. The constellations we see are determined by our latitude and will change as we move North or South. Because of this, the same constellations aren't visible worldwide, especially when it comes to those near the North or South celestial poles.
02

Understanding Earth's Rotation and Tilt

Earth's rotation and its tilt on its axis determines the visibility of stars in a particular region. As we are tilted towards the axis of rotation, we can only see the stars that are in our field of view. In general, the North Star, Polaris, and constellations surrounding it, including the Big Dipper, are only visible from the Northern Hemisphere.
03

Applying The Concept to Antarctica

Antarctica is in the Southern Hemisphere. It's the latitude that makes a star or constellation visible or invisible from a certain location. Because of the Earth's tilt and rotation, constellations visible from the Northern Hemisphere can't be seen from the Southern and vice versa. That's why the Big Dipper, being close to the North celestial pole, can't be used to find North in the Southern Hemisphere, including Antarctica.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Give two reasons why it's warmer in summer than in winter.

How would the sidereal and solar days change (a) if the Earth's rate of rotation increased, (b) if the Earth's rate of rotation decreased, and (c) if the Earth's rotation were retrograde (that is, if the Earth rotated about its axis opposite to the direction in which it revolves about the Sun)?

(a) What is the sidereal time when the vernal equinox rises? (b) On what date is the sidereal time nearly equal to the solar time? Explain.

How do the stars appear to move over the course of the night as seen from the north pole? As seen from the equator? Why are these two motions different?

What are the vernal and the autumnal equinoxes? What are the summer and winter solstices? How are these four points related to the ecliptic and the celestial equator?
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