Richland beacon., 1873-08-02
C0L0RS OF THE PLANETS.
From Appleton's Journal

The colors of the planets present in
teresting subjects for study in thre,
different departments of astronomica
investigation, either observed by the
naked eye, seen through the telescope
or examined by the spectrOscope.
The most familiar and accessible field
OF research is found in the colors which
the planets exhibit to the naked eve.
Each of the five visible planets has an
individuality as characteristic as that
which distinguishes the members of the
same family, and this difference depends
largely.On peculiarity Of coloring. Ju-
piter, the giant of the solar family. is
classed as white star, although to our
vision there is yellow tinge blended
with the whiteness. When shining in
full glory on the dark background of
the midnight sky, it is impossible to
mistake him for any other star in the
armament. When he is morning or
evening star, he is sometimes mistaken
for Venus. But careful attention will
easily detect the difference for Venus
is the more brilliant, while thetirt of her
light is much softer and more creamy
White. There is an indescribable love-
hness about this planet, which belongs
r. no other object in the heavens, and
waich is largely due to the beaming
caor she reflects: Mercury is also a
white planet, but differing entirely from
each Of the others. His nearness to the
sun gives him a peculiar, sparkling hue.
which can never be forgotten by those
who have been fortunate enough to
catch view of the shy planet. He is
sometimes called the "Sparkler, from
this ,.rcumstance.
Mars is a red star, and was called the
=" Fiery One" by the Greeks on account
sof his ruddy light. In ancient times.
hls appearance was looked upon as the
larbinger of war. This planet has lost
\ portion of his deep red color. and the
sause of the change has long been a
ubject of discussion. It is now as
ribbed to certain changes taking place
the color of the constituents.
Saturn shines with dull-yellow color.
his, with his slow movement and dis
al hue, accounts for the unlucky in
renee ascribed to him by astrologists.
bus We have sparkling white, creamy
bite, golden white. deep red, and dull |
llOw, for the oOlors of the visible |
NETS and, after little observation,
e easy to detect each planet by the |
or it reflects.
But the telescope reveals, in some of |
Ixnets, peculiarities of color which
1bund in nothing else in the heavens.
" are the only objects which are
hally varigated; for they present,
by side, in belts, bands, and clouds,
of almost every imaginable color.
the observation of the remarkable
pomena is comparatively recent.
is the distance separating us from
outer worlds, and such the deli
of the coloring, that it requires
npst favorable atmospheric con-
and the most thorough familiar
S>tronomy, to reach results in
teast dgee satisfactory.
thnv :. Venus are 80 near the
x...N Ia aAost impossible to OBJ
'use prthy ssults regarding the
hia .S.r surfses; indeed, it is
ina h hey are ,ever seen. But, |.
bart artlfS"svSSpassed he boundary of
actoR auA We ater upon q more
next epf Ohervation. Mars,
ranks first among
ior he distinctness and
eolos he presents. Two
with singular bril-
e-bound poles. A
der OF wfke light
9nee. Sopetimes
kquisite delllscy is
thite. and sup ed l.
= -Rlors3s N<,oi