Orion the Hunter

On clear nights we can see brilliant stars. When we were on the cruise back in January we had a spectacular view of the Southern Cross. It drops below the southern horizon during parts of the year so it was a unique experience. The stars on the Aussie and NZ flags represent the Southern Cross.

Back home in Manly - Orion's belt is the first thing that catches the eye when you look up. It is one of the constellations that can be seen from both of our homes on each side of the equator. Only there is a wrinkle... ready for a headache? Then read on...

Picture a tennis ball hanging in the air (earth). Picture yourself standing midway between the equator and the top of the tennis ball with your head pointing at an angle upwards. Now picture Bryan and Kim standing towards the bottom of the ball with our heads pointing at a similar angle downwards...

In this imaginary room with the imaginary floating tennis ball - imagine a poster on the wall across the room. Now think about how that poster would look to your tiny imaginary self  as you raise your tiny head to look at it. Now switch your perspective to ours. Down here near the bottom. Our feet magically clinging to the fuzzy tennis ball and our heads dangling below our feet towards the floor. Looking up at the same poster on the same wall... notice anything different in your mental view of the poster?

When we all look off into the distance at Orion - it is upside down here in Australia! I didn't notice at first, I just saw the three prominent stars that make up the belt - but Kim pointed out that the sword hanging from his belt was pointing up. Then I squinted and did the tennis ball imagination thing and about 2 hours later I sort of worked it out in my mind.

I've known since kindergarten that the earth is round and that gravity pulls us to the center. It is one thing to be able to correctly pick those words in the form of a multiple-choice answer on a school test. It is a deeper level of realization as we now find ourselves clinging upside down towards the bottom of the floating and spinning tennis ball. I've become much more aware and appreciative of the miracle of gravity!

http://www.dibonsmith.com/downunder.htm