I've been struggling with this question all morning, yet I get the feeling the answer is frightfully simple.
If Orion appears upside down in the Southern Hemisphere and the right way up in the Northern Hemisphere, what does it look like in equatorial countries such as Kenya, Colombia, and Ecuador, bearing in mind that Orion itself is in the equatorial region of the celestial sphere?
I initially thought it could just be a matter of perspective: If you're on the equator and facing North you'll see it the right way up,but see it upside down if you're facing South. But then surely that approach would apply even if you were in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.
I reckon the times Orion is visible in various parts of the world will also have to be factored in. For example, it is visible at night late spring to summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Could anyone offer me some advice? I fear I may be over-thinking this.
Thanks in advance.
Best Answer
Your hunch about perspective was actually correct, though a little off in the details. Orion's head always points roughly north. When you look at Orion in the northern hemisphere, Orion always appears in the southern part of the sky. Hence, since you are oriented towards the south, Orion is "right side up". Likewise, when viewed in the southern hemisphere, Orion is always in the northern sky, and since you face north, Orion appears upside down.
When you are at the equator, Orion's orientation depends entirely on your own orientation. If Orion is just rising, you are forced to look east, and Orion is sideways, with Orion's head on the left side. If Orion is directly overhead, then, as you pointed out, the orientation depends on which way you are facing. If your stomach faces south while your head is looking straight up, Orion will appear to be oriented right side up, because you are facing south, as you are when you view Orion in the northern hemisphere. Since Orion is directly overhead, you can rotate your body by 180 degrees at the equator, and now Orion will be upside down. Most of the night, Orion will be away from zenith, so you will naturally be facing toward the east or to the west, and Orion will appear to be on its side.
The reason that approach does not apply in the northern or southern hemisphere is that you can not face north and see Orion in the northern hemisphere. It never appears on the northern side of the sky.