Comets in the Northern Hemisphere vs the Southern?

In summary: They can also be unpredictable. Some comets are more visible in the southern hemisphere while others are more visible in the northern hemisphere. This could be due to a variety of reasons such as the comet's orbit, its distance from the sun, and the Earth's position in relation to the comet. It is not just luck or your data that makes comets more visible in one hemisphere than the other.
  • #1
Vorde
788
0
Hey all,

I haven't been alive for that long, so I guess my data probably isn't as good as it should be, but in my experience there have been far more noteworthy comets appearing only to the southern hemisphere, and not to the northern one. In fact, I haven't ever seen a comet (since I was a child - too young to remember it, though), yet I think I can name half a dozen comets which I've seen news articles for; always with a "visible from the southern hemisphere."

Is there a reason for them showing up in the southern hemisphere more? Or is it just luck? Or is my data just wrong? :tongue:
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
Halley's comet reportedly was quite spectacularly visible in the northern hemisphere when it passed by in 1910. In 1986, this same comet was all but invisible in the northern latitudes and could only be observed in the southern hemisphere.

I don't know your age, but Comet Hayakutake was quite visible at New Orleans in 1997 even downtown where there was quite a bit of light pollution.

Comet Kohoutek was supposed to be very spectacular when it passed by in 1973. It was a spectacular flop. I don't recall anyone who saw it.

Comets vary in visibility due to a number of factors.
 

1. What is the main difference between comets in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere?

The main difference between comets in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere is their visibility. Comets in the Northern Hemisphere are typically more visible and easier to observe due to the fact that most major astronomical observatories and telescopes are located in the Northern Hemisphere.

2. Are there any comets that are only visible in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere?

Yes, there are comets that are only visible in one hemisphere or the other. This is due to the fact that comets have different orbital paths and may only come close enough to Earth to be visible in one hemisphere. However, there are also comets that are visible from both hemispheres.

3. Do comets behave differently in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere?

Comets generally behave in the same way regardless of their location in the sky. However, their appearance and visibility may differ due to factors such as the Earth's tilt and the observer's location. For example, a comet may appear brighter or dimmer depending on its position in the sky and the amount of light pollution in the area.

4. Are there any specific times of the year when comets are more visible in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere?

Yes, there are certain times of the year when comets are more visible in each hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, comets are typically more visible during the winter and spring months, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are more visible during the summer and fall months. This is due to the Earth's position in its orbit and the tilt of its axis.

5. Can comets in the Northern Hemisphere also be seen in the Southern Hemisphere?

Yes, some comets can be seen from both hemispheres. However, the visibility may differ depending on the observer's location and the comet's position in the sky. Additionally, due to the Earth's rotation, comets may appear to move in different directions in the sky depending on the observer's location.

Similar threads

Stargazing What is the likelihood of another solar grand minimum occurring soon?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
16
Views
6K
Stargazing Is There an Unidentified Object Near the Horsehead Nebula?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
14
Views
477
Heavy water mismatch between comet 67P and Earth's oceans
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
17
Views
2K
For Just How Long Has the Periodicity of Halley's Comet Been Known?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
3K
I Where can I find publicly accessible data from observatories in Europe?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
921
Northern And Southern Hemisphere Of The Unvierse
    • Cosmology
Replies
1
Views
1K
Stargazing Join the occult (Dec. 7th/8th, Moon will occult Mars.)
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
1K
Is the Sun's Movement Different in the Southern Night Sky?
    • Earth Sciences
Replies
5
Views
2K
History 536 AD - The 'Worst' Year in History?
    • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
2
Views
2K
I On whether the motion of a Foucault pendulum bob is comparable to ballistics
    • Classical Physics
Replies
10
Views
941

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top