Re: [OT] Astronomical Inquiry (actually another one)

"The thing is, we're not that good. It's just that everybody else sucks.
(a Navy SEALs quote)" wrote:

> >> Mmmm. so this would mean you could use the same 'traditional' means
of
> >> navigation (North star, southern cross etc) anywhere in the solar
system, yes?
> >
> >    No, just because the celestial sphere is (relatively) fixed, the
inclination
> >of the planets will vary.  Therefore, Polaris will move in an alien
sky.
>
> Well, Polaris won't *move*, but where the axis of rotation (and/or
magnetic
> pole, if any) will be pointing elsewhere. Polaris will still be
findable,
> still the end star in the Little Dipper - of course, this presumes you
stay
> in the same solar system as Earth (or near enough, relative to the
other
> stars out there; Beth is asking about things in our solar system, not
other
> ones :).

    Actually, I think my statement is correct.	From the reference frame
of a person standing on the
surface of Earth, Polaris is fixed, all other stars move in circles
around it.  From the reference
frame of a person standing on the surface of Mars, Polaris would move
through the Martian sky.
Therefore, you could not use "the same 'traditional' means of navigation
(North star, southern cross
etc)."	To orient yourself on Mars using Polaris as a guide, you'd have
to develop a simple calculator
which takes into account time of day (night) and date.	This would be
very similar to the "star dials"
that can allow you tell the time, if you know the date, by aligning the
stars in certain constellations
with the calculator.
    Mars almost certainly has a "North Star," but I couldn't tell you
which one.

-Mike

--
Michael Sarno

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