Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-06-13
RInnetain Lnnc.

The planetary record of this month will be
diversified by an event of extraordinary inter
est. A remarkably close conjunction be-
tween Mars and Saturn will take place ON the
last day of the month. The two planets, at
the nearest approach, will only be separated
by one minute of an arc or the sixtieth part
Of a degree-an intervening space so small
that to the unassisted eye Mars will seem to
pass directly over the more distant Saturn.
Indeed, it is not improbable that an occulta-
tion will really occur, instead of a close con-
junction. If 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
well authenticated occurrence of the kind on
astronomical records, and that is an occulta-
tion Of Jupiter by Mars ON the 9th of Janua-
ry, 1871 A close injunction between Mars
and Saturn is also a rarity, the last one oc-
curing on the 18th Of April 1917. UnfOrt-
unately for American star gazers the phase
of closest conjunction in this longitude will
take place at about > o'clock in the afternoon,
an unfavoraDe time for making observations
on the stars. European scientists will be no
better Off but those who live in the longi-
tude of Australia will enjoy the enviable op-
portunty. As Australia is noted for its clear
sky and pure atmosphere, and possesses tele-
scopes of great power, we may hope for full
descriptions of the rare event. Mars and Sat
urn will however, be worth looking after,
though the best part of the play is over. They
will rise on the 3Oth 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 a comparison of the col
or of the two planets. Saturn is usually of a
dull leaden color but when near Mars he
takes on a delicate green the ruddy blaze of
IL, L.; n
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
toward their opposition with the sum- and
making the morning sky more beautiful by
their increased size and brilliancy. Mars
rises now about /, and Saturn not far from
o'clock
Jupiter is now superb morning star,
beaming brightly above the eastern horizon
soon after midnight reigning 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 apparent
ly moves through a constellation in about
two months, Jupiter in one year and Saturn
in two yenrs and half At the close of the
month Jupiter rises about half past 10, and
may be seen coming up above the eastern
horizon just after Venus sinks below the
western.
! Venus still fills her role as a 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 as she first appears, q
| golden point in the glow of twilight, or, latei
in the evening, reigns supreme among the
| giittoring hosts that stud the sky. She has
nearly reached her greatest 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 conjunc
tion with the sun, passing to the eastern side
/ He is of no account this month, his condi
tions being unfavorabe for observation.
! Uranus is evening star STILL family shining
in the vicinity of Regulus, and on the last OF
the month not very far away from Venus
| This planet is in a good situation for tele
scopic observation, and those who have once
! had a view of his disc. with his delicate greer
tint, will long remember the unique aspect
The new moon of the 18th is in conjunc
| ton with Mercury on the first evening of hcl
| existence, but star and satellite are invisible
! TO terrestrial eyes. On the 23d, when foui
days old, she is at her nearest point to Venus
and that oft-repeated picture Of the crescent
moon and evening star will once more be
| painted on the twilight sky, to the ever re
newed admiration of all beholders. On the
| 24th the moon passes near Uranus. Regulus
Castor and Polux are the bright stars in the
vicinity of Venus during the month. -Pr0ci
deHce Journal