An observer in the Southern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration below depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing?
A) straight north
B) straight east
C) straight south
D) straight west
E) straight up, directly overhead

Question

An observer in the Southern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration below depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing? 
A) straight north 
B) straight east 
C) straight south 
D) straight west 
E) straight up, directly overhead

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The photograph shows the prominent constellation of the Southern Hemisphere, including the Southern Cross (Crux) and the Magellanic Clouds. These constellations can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere, so the camera must have been pointing south. The photograph shows the pattern of stars around the South Pole, with the South Celestial Pole located at the center of rotation. Therefore, the camera must have been pointing straight south.

An Observer in the Southern Hemisphere Takes a Time Exposure