The Portland daily press., 1879-05-07
Planets for May.


VeIug, fairest daughter of the SUP, holds the
place of honor among the planetary brother-
mood as evening star during the month. She is
increasing in brightness and size as 10 her
RAPID course she approaches the earth, appear
Ing higher above the horizon and sc, ling later
every night. The rapidity of her n ,tion can
easily be traced by watching the stars in her
immediate vicinity. Duriog the first part of
the month she sets about half-past ten, thus
oeing ab've the horizon for three hours after
sunset. Venus is in conjunction with the new
moon on the 24.h, when another of those charm
ing celestial pictures, made up of silvery cres-
cent with beaming star for pendant, may be
anticipated. Venus is in perihelion on the I'd,
but as her influence is of the beneficen kind,
the matter Of her being million of miles near.
er the sun forebodes no disturbance in the
earth's atmosphere.
Uranus is.evening star. He is still in the
constellation Leo, and very near the bright star
Regulus throughout the month. The planet
may now be looked for to best advantage in the
west, about nine o'clock, when two hours past
the meridian,
Jupiter leads the quartette OF morning stars,
long before sunrise. He rises now at about
half-past two, and at the end of the month not
long after midnight. Jupiter and Mars rise
nearly at tie same time on the 1st, the interval
between being only eight minutes. On the 9th
they are in conjunction, and will afford to early
risers fine opportunity for the study of plane
tary colors, the ruddy hue of the one being in
striking contrast to the golden tint of the other
On the 14th Jupiter, Mars aud the moon are in
conjunction, and the enthusiastic star-gazeis
W lnofn hn AnN .lol
Charming picture OF the waning moon with
two bright planets foremost among the starry
throng that graces her court.
Mars is morning star, but his course during
the month is so closely interviewer with that Of
his giant brother that the record of the one is
but repetition of that of the other. they are
both in the constellation Aquarius, and both
ln southern declinstion. AS, however Mars
moves much faster than Jupiter, the two PLAN
cts will not long remain in close proximity.
Saturn is morning star, and is fast coming
into more favorable position for observation.
He Is to be found in the constellation Pisces,
not far from the equinoctial colure. rising now
at four O'Clock, and at the close of the month at
Two. He is in conjunction with the moon on
the morning of the 17tb. On the 3lst Jupiter
rises twelve minutes before one, and Saturn six
minutes after two. An observer com msnding
view of the eastern horizon will find it an
interesting study to watch these planets as they
rise in quick succession.
uciOuiy 10 uoiuHHs star, riSlUS uOW ABOUT
half-past four, and at the end of the month at
half.past three. He may be seen about the
middle of the month an hour before sunrise, as
he reaches his great western elopgation on the
I4th, and for few days before and after that
event is fAvorably situated for observation, this
being one of the four opportunities during the
ear when he may be picked up by the bright
5 ar-gszer az morning star He IA in copjuDc-
tion with the mODn on the 18th, when four
planets and the waning crescent are visible az
the same time.
The May moon fulls on the 6th. 10 her last
quarter she pays her respects in turn to the
four morning stars The new moon Of the 21st
is at her nearest point to Venus on the oath
and to Uranus on the 2Stb.
Brorsens comet has passed its perihelion and
is approaching the earth, reaching its nearest
point on the. 10th, when it may bs looked for
among the smaller stars in the head of the
Great Bear. Its course is circumpoiar, and
therefore in this latitude it does not set. If it
were only more distinguished member of the
cometary family there would be q fine oppor-
tunity to watch its progress. 1t is difficult now
to detect with telescope the thy point of
nebulous haze that marks its presence.-Provi-
dence Journal.