The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-10
Planets in jaime.

1 FROM tue ITOslGeuEe ooai uai
The planetary record of this month Will
be diversified by an event OF extraordnafy
interest. A remarkably close conjunction
between Mars and Saturn will take place on
the last day OF the month. The two planets,
nj their nearest approach, will only be sepa-
rated BY one minute OF an arc, or the SIX
ticth part of degree-an intervening space
so small that to the unassisted eye Mars VIII
seem to pass directly over the more distant
Saturn. Indeed. it is not improbable that
On occultation7 will really occur, instead
of close conjunction. II this prove to
be the case, the astronomers OF the
present century will have an almost
unique phenomenon to place upon their
annals. We believe there is but one
Observation-Disclosures occurrence OF the KIND
on astronomical records, and that is an oc-
cutation Of Jupiter by Mars on the 9th OF
January, 1891. A close conjunction be-
tween Mars and Saturn is also O rarity, the
last one occurring on the 18th OF April,
1877. Unfortunately for American star
gazers, the phase of closest conjunction in
this longitude wilt take place at about 2
O'Clock I'm the afternoon-an uRfayorable
time for making observations on the stars.
European scientists will be no better OIL;
but those who live in the longitude OF Aus
tralia will enjoy the enviable opportunity.
AS Australia is noted for its clear sky and
pure atmosphere, and possesses telescopes
of great power, we may hope for full de-
scriptious OF the rare event. Nars and Sat-
urn will, however, he worth looking after.
though the best part OF the play is over.
They will rise on the 30th Of the month, not
long after midnight, nearly at the same
time, and OF course not very far apart.
Special notice should be directed to COM
pafison OF the color of the two planets.
Saturn Is usually OF 4 dull, leaden color, but
when near Mars he takes on a delicate
green, the rudy blaze Of Mars producing
this effect on what is called the principle OF
complimentary colors. There is little else
that is noteworthy. in the history Of these
two planets during the month. They are
both approaching us in their progress to-
wards their opposition with the sun, and
making the morning sky more beautiful by
their increasing size aud brilliancy. Mars
rises now about I, and Saturn not far from
2 o'clock.
Jupiter is now, superb morning star,
beamipg brightly above the eastern horizon
soon after midnight, rejgning alone in the
morning sky for an hour, and then followed
by his brother planets Mars and Saturn at a
respectful distance. The three planets are
at present pursuing their erratic paths in
The constellation Pisces, but they will not
long remain so near together, for Mars ap-
parently moves through constellation in
about two months, Jupiter in Que year, and
Saturn in two years and half. At the close
of the month Jupiter rises about halH-past
10, and muy be seen coming up above the
eastern horizon just after Venus sinks be-
low the western.
Venus still fills her role as transcendent
evening star. She shows her brilliant face
high in the sky soon after the sun has gone
down, and lovers OF the stars never weary
of admiring her soft light rs she first APP
pears, a golden point in the glow OF twi-
light, or, later in the evening, reigns SUI
preme among the glittering hosts that stud
the sky. She has nearly reached her great.
est distance from the sun, and will soon
commence to retrace her steps.
Mercury will join the evening stars after
the. 18th, when he comes into superior con-
junction with the sun, passing to the east
ern side. He Is Of no account this month,
his conditions being uusavorable for oo-
servation.
Uranus is the evening star still, falnt'v
shining in the vicinity of ReSuius, ana on
the hast OF the month not very 1ar away
lfOul SnuS. 1uRS piaNItS - So " ~" S''S
alton for telescope observation, and those
who have once had view OF his disc, with
its delicate green tint, will long remember
the unique aspect.
The June moon fulis on the 4th. In her
last quarter she is near Jupiter on the 10th,
Mars on the i2th, and Saturn on the 18th !;
thus three Of the June mornings will reward
early Iisers with the lovely picture Of a
planet aud waning crescent. The new moon
OF the 18Th is in conjunction with Mercury
on the first evening Of her existence, but
star aud satellite are invisible to terrestrial
eyes. On the Esd, when four days old, she
Is at her nearest point to Venus, and that
oft-repeated picture OF crescent moon and
evening star will once more be painted OH
the twilight sky. to the eyer-renewed adDi-
ration OF ali beloldcrS. On the oath the
moon passes near Uranus. Regulus, Cas-
tor, and Pollux are the bright stars in the
vicinity Of Venus during the month.