Simple Question

Theoretically, if a person were at the Zenith, then in any direction they went forward in, would be south?



thanks howard

Howard,

If someone is standing exactly at the north pole on earth, then yes they can only go "south". Likewise, a telescope aimed directly at the celestial north pole (close to the North Star Polaris) can only go "south" from that point. Once the telescope is aways from the pole, then all directions are possible.

"Zenith" refers to straight up in the sky. If you have your telescope aimed straight up, you can still go to the east, west, north, south etc from that point. Just like most any other point. Moving north would be moving towards the north celestial pole close to the north star Polaris. (This is assuming your telescope is not set up exactly on the north pole).

Mike