Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-31
n. WHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprieto
Coiors Of the planets.

teresting subjects for study in three diff
ferent departments of astronomical IN.
yestigation, either observed by the naked
eve, seen through the telescope or ex'
ahmed by the spectroscope.
The most familiar and accessible held
of research is found in the colors which
the planets exhibits to the eye. Each
of the five planets has an indivldu'
ality as characteristic as that which dis
tinguishes the members of the same
family, and this difference depends
largely on the pecnlarity OF coloring.
Jupiter, the giant Of the solar family, IS
classed as a 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 mis-
take him for any other star in the tirma-
ment. 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 bril-
liant, while the tint of her light IS a
much softer and more creamy white.
There is an indescribable loveliness
about this planet, which belongs to no
other object in the heavens, and which
is largely due to the beaming color she
reflects. Mercury is also white planet,
but differing entirely from each of the
others. His nearness to the sun gives
him 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 circumstance.
Maris is red star, and IS called the
Fiery One by the Greeks on account
of his ruddy light. In ancient times,
his appearance was looked upon as the
harbinger Of war. This planet has lost
portion OF his deep red COLOR and the
cause of the change has long been a
subject Of discussion. 1t is now
ascribed to certain changes taking
place in the color Of the constituents.
Saturn shines with dull yellow col
or. This, with his slow movements and
dismal hue, accounts for the unlncky
influence ascribed to him by geologist5
Thus we have sparkling white, dreamy
white, creamy white, golden white, deep
red and dull yellow, for the color OF the
visible planets; and after little obser'
vatioH, it is easy to detect each planet
by the color it reflects.
But the telescope reveals in some OF
the plants peculiarities Of colors which
are found in nothing else in the heav-
ems. They are the only objects which
are actually variegated; for they pre-
sent, side by side, in belts, bands and
clouds, tints of almost every imaginable
color. But the observation Of the re
markable phenomena is comparatively
recent. Such is the distance separating
us from these outer worlds, and such the
delicacy of the coloring, that it requires
the most favorable atmospheric condi-
ton, and the most thorough familiarity
with astronomy to reach results in the
least degree satisfactory.
Mercury and Venus are so near the
sun that it is almost impossible to OBJ
tain trustworthy results regarding the
color of their surfaces; indeed, it is
probable that they are never seen. But,
when we have passed the boundary of
the eartb's orbit, we enter upon a more
satisfactory Geld Of observation. Mars,
our next neighbor, ranks first among the
planets for the distinctness and variety
Of the colors he presents. Two white
spots shine with singular brilliancy,
marking his ice-bound poles. A deli
cately tinted border Of white light sur
rounds the polar zones. Sometimes a
oreenish tint of exquisite delioacy is
mingled with the white, and supposed to
he due TO cumulns clouds floating in his
atmosphere. The body Of the planet
next appears, with the prevailing red or
ochreish tint, giving the deep red color
so familiar TO observers. We can also
detect occasional spots Of salmon-colored
light. brownisn patches, and even black
spots, probably marking the lands and
continents. Then we see, covering
about the same portion OF the disk,
green or indigo gray portions, forming
the seas and oceans Of the planet
None Of these spots are entirely dark,
bot either family tinted almost white,
or tinged with purplish hues.
Jupiter, under q powerful telescope
develops a marvellous splendOr OF color
ing. The poles are Of a singularly beau
tifal color, called By painters ultra-ma-
,sne ash; and the spaces between the
Isrt hslts display remarkable grada-
tons of color. Those nearest the poles
s-s .iate colored; ssriher on, . hnge Of
"a ringle with the gray, this is sue
cee5ed by q delicate chocolate; While
,be beits on either side Of the equatorial
brigbt zoue develop q garnet blending
vitb other hues. The great equatorial
t-b I. ,a.rlv white. but has recently
presented unusual variations OF color