Answer to Question #6161 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for Mary Kate

Question

For Science, I have to draw a picture of the sun earth and the stars to explain why an autumnal constellation is best viewed in its season. So why is an autumnal constellation best viewed in autumn?

Answer 1

Think of yourself looking down on the Solar System from above. As the Earth goes around the Sun the seasons change right? The side of the
Earth that is away from the Sun is the night sky, so as the Earth goes
around the Sun you can see that the night sky faces in different
directions, and you see different part of the galaxy, different stars,
and hence different constellations, and that is why constellations are
seasonal.
The tilt of the earth towards or away from the sun is what gives us our seasons and this both reveals and hides constellations at different
times of the year. For example, the constellation Orion is traditionally
a winter constellation in the Northern hemisphere and dips below the
horizon in spring, only to rise again above the horizon in autumn/fall.
some constellations can of course be seen all year round.

Also for illustration please take a look at this video and this picture