Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-03-08
Planets in March.

Venus IS pro cul0eDllJ thc eFeuiuS s'"', io'
no other planet disputes her sway except Mer'
cury for few evenings near the end OF the
month. She is becoming more brilliant ard
conspicuous every night as she approaches the
earth and remains logger above the ho,izon.
Every observer will admire the superb beauty
of this radiant star, as suddenly app:aIlog from
tho depths Of space soon after sunset, she puts
on her starry crown and rcigc5 supreme, the
brightest and faireit tf the stars She holds
her court without rival uutil the 9th, wheu
the most interesting planetary exhibition OF the
month takes place. Venus, Mercury, and the
new moon Of the 22i are then il copiuoctlon.
and the celestial trio will form charming
group in tho twilight glow Of the evening sky.
Venus sets now at half past I; at the ead Il
the month OF quarter before Q.
Mercury is eTening star after the 4:h, cam-
ing into suporior conjunction with the sun. he
reaches his greatest eastern elongatlon on the
29.h, aad is then in one Of the most favorable
conditions 70. observation tnas will 0cc1r dur.
ing the yesr. At that time, aai lew days
before and af!er, he may be seen q little south
Of the poid. where Venus sets. On ths 29th
he scta ab1ut o'clock, GO hour and halt oi.
ter sunset; thus 40 excellent opportunity is al
tOlOed III peep aI tIe OWN .oe'o1 S'N A-iJ
planet.
Saturn will bo morning star after the GOTH
being then 10 cot uncton with the Sun aud too
near him to bo visible during the greater part
of the mouth. He is DOW at his greatest dis
lance from the carth-morc than ten hundred
millions OF mies-and for month or two will
be go oversbadowed by the suns oil powerful
rays that ne will bs b!o.tcd out OF existence to
terrestrial observers.
jupiter is morning star and ia55 cm:rGlag
from the temporary eclipse caused by hl. near
ness to tho sun. he may be easily seen by the
middle Of the month in the southeast, not long
before sunrise. On the 3lst he rises at about
half past 4, an hour and three quarters before
the suu, and glimps, tf his bright tacs when
"the morning lgh. is breaking" will amply ro.
pay the early riser ior the effort requisite to
erioy the scene. Ga the ooh, Jupiter Is 10
| pjunctiou with The waning cresceus OF the
old moon Two days before the change, rianet,
moon, and rosy fingered dawn vii make ce
lestia show worth seeing. Our giant brother
| is coming towards Us and assuming larger pro.
pcrtioDs, though he will have to mako moro
! than another apparent circuit OF the skies hs'
| fore reaching, 10 September, 1880. his perlhel-
| ion, On epoch that Will be watched With Intense
interest by the physicists Ct this small sphere.
| MARS Is DOr0lDR etti, luUusu CJupaiallSVD
little interest is attached to his movements dur-
/ ipg the month. He rises nov little after 4,
and at the erd of the mouth at half past 3. Ho
is 10 the constellation Sagi.taras, aod is visible
az o amal! red star 10 the south:as. 10 tho carly
morcing Euura.
Uranus is cver;ug STAR and 10 good pcs
| ton for observation, coming 70 the merldlau
about 10 o clock on the last OF the mooh. lie
can tbeD 20 datec;3d Ly the naked eye on clear,
moou!es5 evenings ic the constellation Leo,
bstgsen Repulua, the leading brilliant, and the
small star Rho Leons.
| Ihe March moon fus On The S-h. She viii
| be near Uranus on the 7th. entirely ccllpsing
| his faint light; near Mars ca the l7,h, when
threo days past her last IIs,t-I, and pear Ju'
piter on the ooh, Whcn slcndcr WanlDg
crescent.
The Hodiaca Light has been u5u:ual'y brilliant
during many evenings in February, its vivid
colorng making the surrounding heavens dark
10 comparison. Tits Interesting phenomenon
may be ssen on any clear, moonless evening IN
March, 1t becomes visible about 40 hour after
sunset as q column Of soft white light, tho base
of the cole resting on tho part OF the horizon
where the suu went down, and tho apex reaoh-
log to the PIcisdes. The s1ft glow Of tho mys'
Iterious light differs from every clhcr appear
snce in the sky. sId no words can describe the
ethereal delicscy, the iimy texture, and sottened
brillisncy of this celestial visitor, as strangely
lincomprehersible as i. is eyquis!sly beautiful.
1-Prorilencc Journal.