Is the Big Dipper Visible from Viet-Nam?
Hi Dr. Stern, I’m a retired teacher (Theatre) from Portland, Oregon. I’ve finished a book about my experiences in Viet Nam in 1966-67 teaching English to Vietnamese teachers. I’m checking on some points I need to clear up. I’ve returned to visit two of my closest friends. Once in 2001 and again in 2004. On the first trip back I was in Vung Tau which is south of Ho Chi Minh City. It was October and a crystal clear night. I looked for the Big Dipper so I could find the North Star and show my friends. But I could not see the Big Dipper. Is the Big Dipper ever visible from Viet Nam? It looks like Viet Nam is about a thousand miles north of the equator. Thanks for your help. I love your web site Reply Hello, Brian Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) is about 10 degrees north of the equator, so the pole star is about 10 degrees above the horizon. The stars of the Big Dipper circle the pole with radii of 30 to 40 degrees, so they are often below the horizon. (This holds even for much of the contine
