Re: Hemisphere swap
- From: tony_flanders@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: 23 Aug 2005 09:55:08 -0700
boo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I've spent nearly my entire life at 43N. Lately I've been craving
> to see the stars in the Southern Hemisphere ...
> Like to hear from people that have made the trip ...
Man, there's no comparison; the Southern Hemisphere is *vastly*
superior for astronomy. In fact, the trip would be worth it
anyway -- you only get to see an entirely new section of
the sky with fully experienced eyes once in your life. But
in addition, think of these objects that can't be seen
from latitude 43N:
1. Two galaxies that are much bigger and brighter than
any visible from 43N. Big enough and bright enough
to show considerable detail to the naked eye (at least
in the case of the GMC), and to keep you occupied for
many nights with binoculars or a small scope.
2. Two globular clusters that are in an entirely different
class from any visible here, and several more that are
*at least* a match for M13 or M5.
3. The biggest, brightest, and most complex emission
nebula in the sky -- one that dwarfs M42.
4. The densest congregation of naked-eye clusters in
the sky -- huddled around that emission nebula.
5. The finest star pair in the sky, one star of which
(Alpha Centauri) is also a great double star, and
our second-closest neighbor.
6. Proxima Centauri, which may not be much to look at,
but *is* our closest neighbor -- and one of the
brightest red dwarfs in the sky.
But above all, you will, for the first time, see the Milky Way
as it should be seen, centered on the Great Sagittarius Star
Cloud, with the bulge into Ophiuchus not faint and obscure
but bold and bright. Obviously symmetric, with the Great
Rift tapering to a point on *both* ends.
> As a bonus, it appears that, overall, the clarity is better in
> the Southern hemisphere. Much greater percentage of the area
> is ocean, and there are fewer people and less pollution.
Technically true, but it's a second- or third-order effect.
There's no shortage of great observing sites in the Northern
Hemisphere either.
- Tony Flanders
.
- References:
- Hemisphere swap
- From: boo
- Hemisphere swap
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