Why do observers see Cassiopeia sometimes right side up and sometimes upside down?
A) The stars physically move in space, completing a circle around Polaris once each 24 hours.
B) The stars physically move in space, completing a circle around Polaris once each year.
C) Viewed from Earth, all of the northern circumpolar constellations complete a circle around Polaris once every 24 hours (because of Earth's spin).
D) to teach her humility

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cassiopeia, like all northern circumpolar constellations, appears to circle around Polaris due to the Earth's rotation on its axis every 24 hours, not because the stars themselves move significantly in that time frame. This apparent motion causes Cassiopeia to sometimes appear upside down from our perspective on Earth.

Why Do Observers See Cassiopeia Sometimes Right Side Up and Sometimes