Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-14
THE SKY AT NIGHT
Where the Leading Planets are Moving,

Where the Leading Planets are Movlnu.
The waning crescent of the moon
and the ringed planet Saturn are very
near each other at present, and those
who rose early enough this morning
were well rewarded for their trouble
by witnessing a most lovely picture.
The distant planet, usually Of a dull
leaden color, was frightened by the
light Of Luna's crescent into a deli
cate green. The closeness of the two
bodies as they sailed through the
heavens seemed more like a painting
hung in the sky than anything else it
could be compared to. The sight was
one to excite the unqualified admira-
ton of all who beheld it.
The celestial world affords many
pictures this month hat cannot fail
to interest those who care anything
for the flowers that hang in the sky.
as some m has called the stars. On
Thursday next Mercury, which is now
a morning star, will pass to the east
ward of the sun and be in conjunction
with the new moon. This planet then
changes to an evening star, but neither
it nor the Satellite will be visible to
the terrestrial world.
Brilliant Venus, the brightest that
studs the sky, continues to fill her
place at present as a traHscendant
evening star, and appears high in the
heavens each evening after the sun
goes down. Venus is now nearly at
her farthest distance from the sun, and
will shortly begin her journey toward
that great body. Star-gazers never
tire of looking at and admiring the
soft light of this, the most gorgeous of
all the glltterlng planets.
The brightest morning star at pres,
ent is great Jupiter, whose superb
face might have been seen rising above
the eastern horizon shortly before
last midnight. He reigns alone for an
hour OIL so, and is then followed by
Mars and Saturn, the three travelling
in their cratic courses through the
constellation Pisces, and at respectful
distances from each other. 1t will
not be long before the trio will widen
their distances, as Mars travels
through a constellation in something
near two months, while Jupiter is a
year doing it and Saturn two and a
half years. Two weeks hence Jupi-
ter's hour for rising will be at 1890 at
night, just after glowing Venus sinks
below the Western horizon.
The planet Uranus, which wears a
delicate green tint when observed
through a telescope, is now an evening
star, and shines family in the constel-
latiOn Regulus. It's not in favorable
position for observation. On the last
of the present month it nears Venus.
and the two will present a very beau
tiful picture, even to the naked eye.
The terrestrial phenomena through
out this month presents great diyersi-
ties and much that is of more than
ordinary interest even to those who
care little for astronomy. On the last
day of June the planets Mars and
Saturn will be in remarkably close
conjunction, being separated when at
their closest by only one minute of an
arc, or the sixteenth part Of a degree,
an intervening space so small that to
the naked eye Mars will appear to
pass directly over the more distant
Saturn. 1t is a unique phenomenon
seldom exhibited, and much specula
ton has resulted among scientists re.
garding it. The exhibition, however,
will be Of little account to casual
spectators. as it will come off about
the middle of the afternoon. The
longitude of Australia will enjoy the
best advantages, and as Gen. Grants
party will voyage along there about
that period they are in a most envia-
bic position to observe. 1t is doubt.
full however. about their doing On