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The stars do not appear to change position with respect to each other very quickly from our perspective. All the stars are in motion, so they DO change position with respect to us, but so slowly we cannot really tell by the unaided eye.

However, as earth drifts around the sun, different groups of stars swing into position. This is because we see one set of stars during the night at the beginning of winter, and a different set of stars at the beginning of night during the summer. The summer stars were all hid behind the sun during the winter, and vice versa. In the northern hemisphere, we always see the pole star (the north star). The further north you go, the higher the pole star becomes in the sky. At the north pole itself, you pretty much see only the same stars half the year (the other half of the year is day). The same is true for the south pole.

Only at the equator, between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of Capricorn do half the stars the stars change from one season to the next.

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12y ago
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10y ago

While the Earth moves around the Sun, the apparent position of the Sun among the stars changes. Thus, a group of stars may at one time of the year be right behind the Sun (and thus basically invisible); half a year later, the same group of stars will be opposite to the Sun, and thus cross the meridian at midnight (and be visible all night long).

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8y ago

As Earth orbits the sun, each night a slightly different selection of stars appears, rotating from east to west across the sky. You see a star appear on the eastern horizon and set on the western horizon over the course of the night. That is due to Earth's rotation.

But the next night the same star appears just a bit higher on the eastern horizon. Over the course of one month 360 degrees / 12 months = 30 degrees of the evening sky will be filled with "new" stars. By the time six months have rolled past the night sky would contain an entirely different set of constellations.

This is the case if Earth's axial tilt was not inclined, and your observations were made at the equator. Since the pole is inclined, at the 45th parallel (and above) about half the night sky simply rotates around the pole star (Polaris).

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16y ago

This is because the earth is traveling around the sun, once every year. This means that the portion of the sky that is opposite the sun is changing throughout the year. Earth is revolving.

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8y ago

We see different constellations at different times of the year and in different positions because of Earth's rotation around the sun.

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8y ago

Earth's changing position in relation to the Sun.

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12y ago

because of the earth rotates on its axis

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Q: Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year and in different positions?
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How did Ptolemy explain the change of constellations during the year?

All the constellations were fixed to a crystal sphere that rotates at a slightly different rate from the Sun's rotation rate. So while the Sun goes round 365 times in a year, the sphere of the constellations go round 366 times.


Why are different sky maps needed for different times of the year?

Different sky maps are needed for different times of the year because the position of stars and constellations in the night sky changes as the Earth orbits around the Sun. This means that different constellations and celestial objects will be visible at different times of the year. By using specific sky maps for each time period, astronomers and stargazers can accurately locate and identify objects in the night sky based on the current season.


What Constellations are visible all year?

The constellations near the plane of the ecliptic (the zodiacal constellations) are only visible at certain times of the year. The constellations towards the poles (N and S) are visible at all times of the year from their respective hemispheres. In the South, the Southern Cross would be one example and in the North the Great Bear (or plough) would be another.


How can you tell the time of year without looking at a calendar or clock (by looking at the sky)?

During the year, due to the earth's orbit, different constellations appear during different seasons. You can use the constellations to determine the time of year.


Do constellations change depending on the country you are viewing them from?

Yes, the constellations visible in the night sky can change depending on your location on Earth. This is because the Earth's rotation causes the stars to appear to move across the sky, making different constellations visible at different times and in different locations. The constellations that are visible also change depending on the time of year due to the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Related questions

What motion of earth makes it seem as if the stars and constellations are in different positions at different times of the year?

Earth orbiting the sun


Why dont constellations appear in the same spot at the same time all year long?

Constellations appear to shift positions in the night sky due to Earth's orbit around the Sun. As the Earth moves along its orbit, the projection of the stars against the background of space changes, causing constellations to appear in different positions at different times of the year. This phenomenon is known as stellar parallax.


What 3 constellations that can be seen year round?

Three constellations that can be seen year-round from the northern hemisphere are Ursa Major (which includes the Big Dipper), Orion, and Cassiopeia. These constellations are visible at different times of the year and at varying positions in the sky.


Do you have see the same stars and constellations at different times of the year?

No, the stars and constellations visible in the night sky change throughout the year due to the Earth's orbit around the sun. Different constellations become visible at different times of the year, so stargazers can observe a variety of celestial objects by looking up at different times.


Why do you see different constellations at different points of the year?

The sun is always in different places at different times.


How do the stars locations change over time?

The positions of stars in the sky change over time due to the Earth's rotation and orbit around the Sun. This causes different constellations to be visible at different times of the year. Additionally, as stars have their own motion through the galaxy, their positions relative to each other also change over long periods of time.


Why do Constellations seem to move in the sky each night because?

Constellations appear to move in the sky due to the Earth's rotation on its axis. As the Earth rotates, different constellations become visible at different times of the night. This motion is also why constellations appear to shift positions throughout the year.


Why you see different constellations at different times in the year?

because the world is in different places around the sun at different times of the year therefore you would see different constalations


What causes the change in the display of constellation in the sky in one year?

The change in the display of constellations in the sky throughout the year is primarily due to Earth's orbit around the Sun. As Earth orbits, different constellations come into view at different times. This is why we see different constellations in the night sky during different seasons.


How do constellations change?

Constellations appear to change position in the night sky due to Earth's rotation on its axis. This causes constellations to rise and set as the night progresses. Over the course of the year, the position of constellations also changes due to Earth's orbit around the Sun, causing different constellations to be visible at different times of the year.


Half a year later why do you see a different sky?

The change in the appearance of the sky over time is due to the Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the sun. This results in different constellations, positions of the sun, and length of daylight hours throughout the year, causing the sky to appear differently at different times.


What two things determine where the constellations are seen in the sky?

The time of year and the observer's latitude determine where the constellations are seen in the sky. As the Earth orbits the Sun, different constellations become visible at different times of the year. Additionally, an observer's location on Earth's surface affects which constellations are visible due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.