I went to UK/Ireland in September, first time ever in the NHem. First there was a waxing Moon in the sky (which moved backwards - what's that all about?
) but even then there was something strange about the lack of bright stars in the sky. As the Moon moved back, the hazy skies of Ireland still did nothing to provide anything remotely impressive. But I scored a few crystal clear nights in the Highlands of Scotland, well away from the lights of major towns or cities. And it was a wonderful display of night sky - sure, the shortage of bright stars was noticeable but the blank spots of the Irish skies were filled with a subtle and beautiful display of stars. And the Milky Way arched overhead, but not quite as we know it! Some of the 'famous' far-northern constellations that I'd never seen before were little more than a sparse spray of faint stars, which was a bit disappointing!
In the article, Prof Fletcher is quoted as saying:
“
In astronomy circles it is often remarked — mostly by envious northerners — that God, in creating the universe, perversely located all the most interesting regions of our galaxy in the Southern Hemisphere, but all the astronomers in the north.”
But he/they've got it completely wrong. Man evolved under southern skies in Africa and they're man's birthright! The fact that a few bods trickled up north and bred like rabbits certainly can't be put at the feet of poor old God. He's got enough to be blamed for without that LOL!
If I had to describe the southern night sky in one word it would be - extravagant!
Cheers -