At 10:30 PM 1/1/02, Alberto Monteiro wrote: >JDG wrote: > > > >> Not Thalia - this would be a _Fall_ constellation. > > > > Ah yes, I was thinking of Earth where a Fall constellation would also be a > > winter constellation. > > >Again, no. There are Winter, Summer, Fall and Spring constellations - >the difference is that a typical Winter constellation might be seen in >other seasons [depending on the latitude of the observer and the >declination of the constellation].
On Earth, *time of night* would also be a factor. For example, in the mid-northern hemisphere of Earth (continental USA, Europe, etc.), Orion is known as a "winter" constellation because it is visible high in the south in the early evening in January-February. However, it is also visible in the same position shortly before sunrise in October, and can be glimpsed just rising in the east just before sunrise in July. And it is going down in the west as it gets dark in May, so can be seen somewhere in the sky at some time of night nine or ten months of the year. -- Ronn! :) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Ronn Blankenship Instructor of Astronomy/Planetary Science University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Standard Disclaimer: Unless specifically stated otherwise, any opinions stated herein are the personal opinions of the author and do not represent the official position of the University of Montevallo. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
