Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-03
THE EVENING STAR.
November 3, 1879.
Planets in Noxember,

Mars is evening star after the 18th. and holds
the place or honor among the members or the
solar family throughout the month. A great
event takes place on his records His oppo-
sition occurs on the 18TH and never was this
CELESTIAL phenomenon anticipated with Such
eager interest. for the opposition OF 1877 was
the epoch OF one of the greatest astronomical
discoveries OF the present century. Two tiny
satellites were found tracking their rapid course
within the glare OF light surrounding this I'll Idly
planet, and who knows II closer observation
may not reveal as many more and some new
discoverer share the honor with Prof. Hall
Mars Is not as near to us at the present oppoSi-
ton as he was in 1871 but as he is in northern
declination he will be more favorably situated
for observation. Professor Hall gives the time
from the 10th of october to the 2Yth of Novem-
Der as the period in which the satellites may
be visible, but European observer has already
succeeded in picking up Diemos on the 22d OF
September. The best telescopes all over the
world are now concentrating their highest
powers on the brilliant evening star shining so
brightly in the eastern sky. On the first of the
month the planet rises at half-paSt five; on the
18th at sunset, and on the last OF the month
about three o'clock. Mars is now in his best
position for observation, darting above tue east
ern horizon shortly after the sun sinks below
the western, and reaching the meridian soon
after midnight at an altitude of nearly seventy
degrees. Above him beams the lovely cluster OF
the Pleiades, and below him shines bright Aide
baran, prominent red star and the leading
brilliant OF the HyadeS.
Saturn is evening star, but his pale luSjre is
diminished as he approaches the sun and in
creaSeS his distance from us. He is still an 90
Ject OF interest, however, in the evening sky. As
he rises slowly towards the zenith, between Ju-
piter and Mars, his dun tint being overshalowei
by the golden glow OF the one and the rudy
hue of the other. He is at present a beautiful
object for telescope observation for his ring,
are slowly opening and the spaces between them
ard the planet are clearly visible. The rings
the belted disc, and the beaming moons make
up picture of unsurpassed loyelrrSS in the
grand celestial picture gallery. Saturn now
rises about and sets about in the morning.
AT the close of the month he will rise nearly at
2, and set at the next morning.
Jupiter is evening star, and though lovely to
behold, his glory is waning, but those who have
watched his brighter course in the eastern
heavens for the last two months will be inter-
ested to trace its waning glory, as during this
month he tracks his course in the west. On the
10th he is in quadrature, or half way between
opposition and conjunction with the sun. He
sets now about l; at the end of the month,
about IL.
Mercury is evening star, reaching his greatest
eastern elongatiOn on the 2oth AS this is one
of the four periods during the year when he Is
favorably Situated for observation as an eve
ming star, very bright eyes may possibly catch
a sight Of him about that time. soon after sun
set and not far from the point where the sun
went down. The atmosphere must be eycep-
tionally clear and the sky cloudleSS to give a
chance of success. Mercury sets now at about
half-paSt 5; at the end of the month at nearly
the same time, which, however, will then be an
hour after sunset
Venus is morning star, and will be splendid
object to behold throughout the mornings of
November. She rises earlier each morning,
showing her glowing face above the horizon ii
few minutes after 3, more than three hours be-
fore sunrise. At the close OF the month she rises
at the same time, which will then be nearly four
hours before sunrise.
Uranus is morning star, rising at half-past 1;
at the end of the month he rises at half-paSt II.
The November moon fullS on the 18th. The
old moon is in conjunction with Uranus on the
Sth. On the morning OF the 10th, Venus and the
slender crescent Will form one OF the lovlieSt pic
lures Of the month"; rising nearly together on
the 18th, the new moon will be in conjunction
with Mercury, the planet being between the
crescent and the horizon. On the Dist the moon
will be near Jupiter, on the 9th near Saturn, on
the 26th near Mars at midnight.
The November meteorS must not be forgotten
among objects of interest. They will be seen
from the 18th to the 10th, though observers who
desire grand display will have to wait for the
shower which astronomers promise in 1S99.-
[FrOcide1lce Journal.