Does nightime sky face outer or inner galaxy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the visibility of the Milky Way galaxy from Earth, specifically whether the nighttime sky predominantly faces the outer rim or the center of the galaxy. Participants explore the implications of Earth's orbit around the sun and how it affects the view of the galaxy throughout different seasons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Earth's nighttime view generally faces the outer rim of the galaxy, while the daytime view is directed toward the center, which is obscured by sunlight.
  • It is noted that the visibility of the galactic center is affected by seasonal changes due to Earth's orbit, with the center being blocked by dust clouds at times.
  • One participant points out that looking towards Sagittarius means facing the center of the galaxy, while looking towards Cassiopeia indicates the outer rim.
  • Another participant clarifies that Sagittarius is visible from the northern hemisphere during summer months, and emphasizes its significance as the densest part of the Milky Way.
  • A correction is made regarding visibility, stating that anyone south of 50 degrees north latitude can view the galactic center at some point during the year.
  • Participants express admiration for those who can see the Milky Way bulge prominently during winter nights, indicating a sense of envy for those in favorable locations.
  • Links to external resources are shared to illustrate the visibility of the Milky Way from specific locations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the visibility of the galactic center and outer rim, with some agreeing on the general direction of visibility while others provide corrections and additional context. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of visibility based on location and season.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding assumptions about visibility based on geographic location and the effects of seasonal changes on the view of the galaxy. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of these factors.

Moonrat
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I recently came across an argument that stated that Earth's nighttime view pretty much always faces the outer rim of our galaxy, while the day time view is facing right towards the center, which of course we don't see due to sunlight. There was refrenced a few indian tribes in s.america who trek toward the top of the andes mountains in the winter where the Earth briefy turns center enough just to see galactic center totally naked.

I am not an astronomer, but I was under the impression that galactic center is somewhere around Sagitarius.

What part of our galaxy to we see at nightime?
 
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It depends upon the season. We are continual revolving around the sun so every month the sun has apparently moved to a different place in the sky. This is the zodiac, and when they say that the sun is in one of the constellations of the zodiac that means we are not able to see the stars in that section of the sky. We are able to look at the section of the sky which contains the center of the galaxy with regularity. It is my understanding that the center of the galaxy is blocked from view by intervening dust clouds.
 
Look along the Milky Way; you are looking at the plane of the galactic disc.
Look in the direction of Sagittarius; you are facing the centre of the galaxy.
Look in the direction of Cassiopeia; you are facing the outer rim of the galaxy.

Garth
 
You can see the center of the galaxy in the constellation Sagittarius. Sagittarius is visible from the northern hemisphere in the summer months. It's at about -40 degrees declination, which means that it's visible at some time of the year to everyone south of 40 degrees north latitude. Sagittarius is home to the densest part of the milky way, the band of star clouds that marks the plane of the galaxy in our skies.

- Warren
 
A minor correction, if I may [it's my perfectionist side emerging]. Anyone south of 50N can view the galactic center [which is at 40S] sometime during the year. It rises to a maximum of about 10 degrees above the horizon for an observer at 40N.
 
Fortunate be those who live where the Milky Way bulge is at its zenith around midnight during the winter months, and for whom winter brings still, cloudless nights!

Who are they, these fortunate ones?
 
Nereid said:
Fortunate be those who live where the Milky Way bulge is at its zenith around midnight during the winter months, and for whom winter brings still, cloudless nights!

Who are they, these fortunate ones?
Might they be Kiwis? :smile: I wish - I'm on the other end of the stick. :blushing:

I get to see and photograph some pretty things, but I am envious of you.
 
They get some pretty good looks at ESO La Silla. The MW bulge is almost at the zenith in their winter sky:
http://www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2004/phot-27-04.html
 
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