The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-07
Planets I'm July.

lDP icatuFc OIL pTOIDlHent iutcFtSl VII tHc
July record is that six planets during the
latter portion OF the mouth will be visible
in the evening sky, though not all at the
same time. Venus, Mercury, and Uranus
may be seen in The earlier part OF the eve
ming, an hour after sunset, and Jupiter,
Saturn, and Mars are above the horizon be-
fore midnight.
Venus is evening star and also holds the
place OF honor this month as the leader Of
the solar family, charming every beholder
By her fascinating beauty and graceful car
riage. The monotony of her progress is
marked by one OF the important epochs in
her course. On the 10th, she reaches her
greatest eastern elongation, the extreme
point of the straight line in which she seems
10 oscilate on each side Of the sun. After
that time she will approach the sun until she
arrives at her inferior conjunction on the
23d OF September, when she completes her
role as evening star. After her elongation
is reached, she will set earlier every eve
ming. and at the same time increase in size
and orilliancy on account Of her rapid ap-
proach towards the earth. Seen through
the telescope at this time. she presents the
phase OF the moon at The last quarter, and
then quickly assumes the form of the
waning crescent. Venus sets now at 10
y.
BY that time 1t will be apparent to every
observer that she has begun to retrace her
steps.
Mercury is evening star, and in one OF
the most favorable positions for observa-
tion that occur during the year, being yisi-
Bile soon alter sunset during the whole
month. He sets now at half-past s.. on the
last OF the month ut quarter.past s. He
must at present be looked for nearly above
the point Of sunset; later in the month
little farther south. Mercury reaches his
greatest eastern elongatiOn on the 9th,
when he, too, is as far from the sun as pos
sibie. though his line Of oscillation is much
shorter than that OF Venus. on account OF
his being much nearer The sun. The pres
ent month affords fine opportunity for 4
study Of the planet that circles nearest the
great central tire, and seems to take q con-
scious pleasure in eluding observation.
| Uranus is evening star, and for once
somewhat important member of the visible
| fraternity. On the Sth, he comes into 4
close conjunction With Venus, the two
planets being ouly fifteen minutes of an
arc or one quarter OF degree apart. The
telescope viii then easily pick up Uranus,
and the contrast between his pale green disc
and the dazzling hue OF Venus will be au
interesting study in the history OF the char
acteristic coIors OF the planets. On the 30th,
Uranus is in conjunction with Mercury,
and will form another striking instance OF
contrasted colors in planets, for each men,
Der of the family reflects color as familiar
to the eye Of practiced observer as arc the
features OF familiar friends. Uranus sets
now little after 10, Il few minutes later
than Venus; at the end OF the month about
| half.past S.
t., 1o ro1 vii n q
stars until his opposition, on the 31st Of
August, though, before the month ends. he
will be 4 brilliant object in the evening sky,
appearing above the eastern horizon few
minutes before Venus sinks below the west
ern. he rises now about IL; on the last OF
,he month at a quarter before 8. This
month and the succeeding one are favorable
for watching the increase in size and bril-
liancy of this superb planet as he approaches
his least distance from The earth. i ..'~ +
Saturn is morning star, and will keep
close to Mars during the first week OF the
month--ther remarkably close conjunction
having already taken place on the last morn
ing in June. Saturn now rises Just after
midnight; at tie end Of the month he will
rise soon after 10.
Mars is morning star, and though at pres
ent very near his brother Saturn, a separa:
ton will soon take place, Mars moving east
ward and northward in his rapid course
and leaving Saturn to plod along at his far
slower pace. Both planets now rise few
minutes after midnight--almost at the same
moment. at the end OF the month Mars
will rise about IL. The observer commands
ing view OF the southeastern sky will have
a fine view OF the successive rising OF these
three planets on the midsummer nights at
the close OF the month. Jupiter will be hrst
on the scene, rising little before g., No one
can mistake the "star OF imperial Joye" as
he comes beanliug above the horizon with
superb lustre that exceeds all other stars
save the one then sinking slowly in the west.
Saturn, with his dim, murky light, will
make his advent soon after 10. and Mars,
blazing in rudy glow, will follow about IL.
The three planets are all approaching their
opposition, aud consequently Increasing IN
size and brightness.
The July moon iuls on the Sd, and for
several evenings after there Is only an aver
ago difference OF twenty-four minutes in the
time Of rising, so that the midsummer eve
nings will be flooded with silver light. On
the Sth she will form picture fair to see,
when in conjunction with Jupiter. On the
1lth she is near Mars and Saturn. The new
moon of the 10th is in injunction with
both Mercury and Uranus when two days
old. On the 22d the loveliest conf
OF the month takes place between the moon
and the ialrest Of the stars.-Prorldence