The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-13
Planets I'm July
A PLEASANT TALK ABOUT JUPITER, MAR:
SATURN, VENUS, AND MERCURY.

IL
SATURN, VENUS, AND MERCURY.
The Providence Journal says:
Jupiter will be conspicuous oiect in the
eastern sky during the month, rising now
about 9 o'clock, and shining with wondrous
beauty in the constellation Capricornus.
On the 25th this planet comes into opposition
with the sun, and will at that time shine with
his greatest briliancy, for he is at his nearest
approach to us, the sun, the earth. and the
planet being in line, with the earth in the
centre. He is then more than 100000
of miles nearer than when, in the oppo-
site portion OF his orbit, he comes into
conjunction with the sun. The oppos-
tion Of planet means that its position
is opposite to the sun, and that it will
rise when the sun sets. Therefore, the
sparkling gem that in the latter part OF the
month will rise above the southeastern
horizon as the sun sinks below the western
may be easily recognized rs Jupiter. 1t
will be delightful TO watch his course, as he
rises earlier each evening, increasing all the
while in size and prilliancy, until he reaches
his opposition on the 25th. Nothing in the
eastern heavens will dispute his supremacy
until the crescent moon wakes into proper
lions that overshadow his milder beams.
The evening after she has passed her full,
on the 18th, she will be in conjunction with
the bright evening star. and charming
picture will be painted on the dark azure OF
the sky.
Mars is also an evening star, but is OF lit
tie account, he is so far away and shines
with so insignificant lustre after the gl0-
rious display he made last year, when his
glowing aspect turned all the world into
star-gazers. He is passing to his superior
conjun elton with the sun, reaching this
point on the 18th OF September, when he
will be 1870, 100000 OF miles further from US
than ut bis memorable opposition OF 1877,
the epoch of the discovery OF his two satel :
lites. Mars may be looked for in the con-
stellation Leo, setting now not far from 0
O'Clock, and not very distant from Regulus.
On the 22d Mars and Mercury are in con-
junction. On the 10Th those who are fortu.
nate enough to witness the total eclipse Of
the sun will see Mars, Regulus, and Mer-
curry forming an irregular line. Mercury
being the brightest, and possibly the only
one OF the starry trio visible during the
short period Of total darkness.
Saturn, although not classified as an
evening star until bis opposition on the 22d
of September, rises now not long after IL
| O'Clock, and at the close Of the month may
be seen nearly two hours earlier. He is
L
stars OF the constellation Pisces, coming
into better position for observation, and
| may be easily recognized from his superior
brightness to the stars in the vicinity, rising
also little south OF cast.
Venus remains unrivalled among the
morning stars She passed her greatest
western elongation on the I'd Of June, and
is now speeding far away from us to her
superior conjunction on the 9th Ut Decem-
Der. She rises during the month not very
far from o'clock, and early risers COM
manding view OF the eastern horizon will
be well rewarded by the sight OF her charm
ing face and the soft, delicate coloring that
distinguishes the most beautiful star among
the myriads that make up the starry host.
Though far away and small in size, she re.
tains her sovereign sway, and fingers in the
morning sky tilfthe sun is ready to show
bis face above the horizon.
Mercury. in the first part OF the month, is
too near the sun to be visible, but on the
3lst be does not set till 500 O'Clock, and
may perhaps be picked up by sharp eyes in
the evening tWIlightTo south OF the pIace
Eoi sunset. On the 2sth, Aiercnry and and
Uranus are in conf JUNCTION, and both planets
are near Regulus, but good telescope is
needed for a good view OF the celestial
phenomenon.
The fnconstant moons rs usual, plays off
her airs and grncss TO win the favor Of her
brother and sister planets. She glided as d
slender thread OF silver light near the path
oil Mars on the I'd, will beam with nearly
full-orbed splender in conjunction with
Jupiter on the 15th, and pass near Saturn
on the 10th, having then nearly reached
her last quarter. But she will be seen
in her most fascinating phase on the