Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Simultaneous Star Sightings 
Name: Jimmy
Status: other
Grade: other
Location: NV
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Can my friend from New York see the same star as me at the exact same time in California? If yes or no, about how many miles apart can someone be to see the same star at the same time?

Replies:
Dear Jimmy,

Yes, he can see the same star, but not in the same spot at the same time. California is 3 hours west of New York, so, assuming the sky in both places is clear, your California friend will see the same star in roughly the same spot in the sky 3 hours later. California is also a bit south of New York. If the New York star is in the southern part of the sky, it will appear a bit higher in the sky in California. However, if the star is in the northern sky, like Polaris, it will appear a bit lower in the California sky.

Sincerely

David H. Levy


Click here to return to the Astronomy Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory