Do star constellations look different when viewed in different places on earth?
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answers:
Zheia say: They will keep the same shape but ones that are visible in the southern hemisphere will appear upside down.
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Clive say: No. Stars are FAR too far away for being in a different place on Earth to make any difference to the shape of the constellation. All you get is they might be in a different place in the sky - that even happens if you stay in the same place, because as the Earth spins, the sky appears to move round during the night.
Travel a long way and you will be able to see different constellations. For example, if you live in the northern hemisphere and are used to the Big Dipper always being visible (though it could appear to be any way up depending on the season and the time of night), it won't be the same elsewhere. From Australia, it's not and when you CAN see it, it'll always be upside down.
The interesting thing that DOES look different if you travel from north to south is the Moon. From a place in the northern hemisphere, you have to look south to see it. But go to Australia and you have to look north to see it. The result is that it looks upside down, and all the phases are reversed.
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az_lender say: They might appear to be upside down, etc., but the actual shape of the constellation will be no different. The distance between places on earth is very tiny, relative to the geometry that is producing the asterism ("constellation").
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Ronald 7 say: No
Because they are all so far away
The Angle to the Horizon can make them change shape though
Constellations near the Celestial Equator can be like that, for instance Orion
Those at the Poles show the least difference, like Crux and the Great Bear
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Morningfox say: They will appear closer or further from the horizon. They will rise and set at different times (or get closer or further from your zenith). But the shapes and distances from each other are always the same.
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Ajia say: Well, kind of. Ok, let’s say you lived in California and I lived in Timbuktu, we would see them at different angles, therefore it would appear to be that way. So, if this is what you meant, then yes. If you’re thinking that the stars in the certain constellation will move, then no.
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Bill-M say: YES. Take the Big Dipper for instance. Looking at the Big Dipper from say Seattle Washington and then going way south to say the Big Island of Hawaii, the Big Dipper will look larger from Hawaii. This is because of distortion on light coming through the Earth's air. But the Constellations along the Equator will be the same anywhere.
It would be polite for you people that give a thumbs down to explain why....
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Raymond say: No, other than looking upside down (southern latitudes vs northern latitudes), or even looking sideways when they are closer to the horizon (without changing location).
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Tom S say: No.
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WHANKING-WILLY say: No. All look the same.
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CarolOklaNola say: NO, but they are in different parts of the sky in different locations on Earth. . I was in Colombia near the equator (latitude 2°+ north)/ and Orion was way too far north from my usual perspective from New Orleans at latitude 30°N. You also need to understand that because Earth is rotating the orientation of constellations with the horizon changes, especially for circumpolar constellations, through the night. Be cause Earth is revolving around the Sun . different constellations are visible at different times of the year. You will never see all of Orion and all of Scorpio above the horizon at the same time.
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