Northern hemisphere v. Southern hemisphere night sky. Is one more impressive than the other? (camping, pollution)

[Magnatomicflux]

I didn't even realise those images I posted are the current Aurora. lol!

[Gentoo]

The Northern Lights have been seen as far south as the Yucatan Peninsula. The sun must have been p i s s e d that day LOL

[Magnatomicflux]

^^^ lmao!!!

[artemis agrotera]

Originally Posted by kanhawk

I have never been to the southern hemisphere but as someone interested in looking at the stars and the night sky, how does the southern sky compare to the northern night sky for those who have seen both? Is it any more impressive or about the same?

obvious differences are the Southern Cross + Big Dipper..

How to Spot Sky Landmarks: Big Dipper and Southern Cross | Skywatching

[Magnatomicflux]

We get the big dipper up here.

[ABQConvict]

I grew up with the Northern hemisphere sky and know many of the constellations which evoke European mythology and such so I am really attached to the sky here, but the first time I went south of the equator in Tanzania, it was brilliant to see a new sky.

[Ariete]

Originally Posted by rorro

Yes, but I thought northern lights were easier to see. I could be wrong though.

As if. I live at 60N and never see any auroras.

[artemis agrotera]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

I grew up with the Northern hemisphere sky and know many of the constellations which evoke European mythology and such so I am really attached to the sky here, but the first time I went south of the equator in Tanzania, it was brilliant to see a new sky.

Yes, I do love Greek Mythology, and the connection between this and the constellations.

as an aside: this did crack me up :

Greece borrows Australia's Twelve Apostles for national tourism video | World news | The Guardian

The board said the use of the 15 seconds of time-lapse photography, shot by the Australian photographer Alex Cherney, was justified because it showed constellations that carry Greek names and “the mythology of the sky at all latitudes and longitudes of the Earth is Greek”.

[Brontosaurus]

From a dark location, the Southern sky is very impressive. The Galactic centre in Sagittarius is the brightest part of the Milky Way and can be seen overhead from the Southern hemisphere. Many bright clusters and nebulae can be seen in that area of the sky such as the Coal Sack. The Clouds of Magellan are also spectacular, especially in binoculars. One of the best views of the sky I had was in the desert just outside Alice Springs but the equator is also a good vantage point: both hemispheres visible!

[Magnatomicflux]

One time I was in Northern Ontario, and the sky was white with black dots there were so many stars!

I could see the disk of the Milky Way, and I felt as if I was incredibly small, standing on the edge of, and looking across, a big while record. It was amazing.