The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-20
Planets in March .

Venus is prominently the evening star,
for no other planet disputes her sway ex-
cept Mercury for few evenings near the
end Of the month. She is becoming more
brilliant and conspicuous every night as she
approaches the earth and remains longer
above the horizon. Every observer will ad-
mire the superb beauty OF this radiant star,
as suddenly appearing from tie depths of
space soon after sunset, she puts on her star
| ry crown and reigns supreme, the brightest
and farest of the stars. She holds her court
without a rival until the oath, when the most
interesting planetary exhibition of the month
takes place. Venus, Mercury, and the new
moon of the 22nd are then in conjunction,
| and the celestial trio will form charming
group in the twilight glow of the evening
sky. Venus sets now at half-past Z; at the
end of the month at quarter before nine.
Mercury is evening star after the 4th, com
ing into superior conjunction with the sun.
He reaches his greatest eastern elongation
on the 26th, and is then in one OF the most
favorable conditions for observation that will
few days before and after, he may be seen
little south of the point where Venus sets.
On the goth he sets about s O'Clock, an hour
and half after sunset; thus an excellent
opportunity is afforded for peep at the swift
footed and fiery planet.
Saturn will be morning star after the 9th,
being then in conjunction with the sun and
too near him to be visible during the greater
part Of the month. He is now at his great
est distance from the earth-more than ten
hundred millions Of miles-and for a month
or two will be SO overshadowed by the suns
all-powerful rays that he will be blotted out
OF existence to terrestrial observers.
Jupiter is morning star and fast emerg-
ing from the temporary eclipse caused by
his nearness to the sun. He may be easily
seen by the middle of the moath in the south
east. not long before sunrise. On the 3lst
he rises at half-past 4, all hour and three
quarters before the sun, and glimpse of his
bright face when 1.-THE morning light
is breaking will amply repay the early riser
for the effort requisite to enjoy the scene.
On the Goth, Jupiter is in conjunction with
the waning crescent of the old moon two days
before the change. Planet, moon, and rosy
fingered dawn will make celestial show |
worth seeing. Our giant brother is coming |
towards us and assuming much |
larger proportion. though he will have to |
make more than another apparent circuit of |
the skies before reaching in September, 1880,
his perihelion, an epoch that will be watch
ed with intense interest by the physicists of
this small sphere.
Mars is morning star, though comparative
ly little interest is attached to his movements
during the month. He rises now little af-
ter 4, and at the end of the month at half
past 3. He is In the constellation Sagitta-
RUS, and is visible as small red star in the
in the early morning hours.
ANOTHER PHENOMENAL CAsE.-John
Nichols, farmer living near Thompson,
Pa, while walking in the woods on his farm
thirty years ago, ran twig into his right
ear. A piece of it broke off in his head
He became deaf, and at times suffered in
ense pain in his head. Two weeks ago this
pain became unusually acute and continued
Without cessation until Saturday last. On
hat day Mr.. Nichols felt pricking sensa-
ion in his left ar,and with pair OF tweez.
RS pulled out round piece of wood three
uarters of an inch long and an eighth of
n iuch in diameter. Mr.. Nichols was at ,
nee relieved of pain, and his hearing was {
estored. He has no doubt that the piece of 8
vood is the bit of twig that was thrust into ,
is ear thirty years ago. II so, it passed