Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-13
NO. III.
miscellaneous.
PLANETS IN MAY.

the place of honor among the planetary
brotherhood rs evening star during the
month. She is increasing in brightness
and size as in her rapid course she APP
proaches the earth, appearing higher
above the horizon and setting later every
night. The rapidity OF her motion can
easily be traced by watching the stars in
her immediate vicinity. During the first
part OF the month She sets about 10 clock
on the last of the month she sets about
half-past 10, thus being above the horizon
Tor three hours alter sunset. Venus Is in
conjunction with the new moon on the 24th
when another of those charming celestial
pictures, made up of IA silvery crescent, with
a beaming star for pendant, may be antici-
pated. Venus is in perhelion on the I'd.
but as her influence is of the beneficent
Kind, the matter of her being million Of
miles nearer the sun forbodes no distur-
hance in the earth's atmosphere.
Uranus is evening star. He is still in
the constellation Leo. and very near this
bright star ReguluS throughout the month.
The planet may now be looked for to best
advantage in the wcst-about o'clock,
when two hours past the meridian.
Jupiter leads the quarteete of morning
southeast long before sunrise. lie rises now
at about half-past ,. and at the end of the
month, not long after midnight. Jupiter
and Mar, ri1e nearly at the same time on the
lst the interval between being only eight
minutes. On the 9th, they are in coniunc-
ton and will afford to early risers a fine
opportunity for the study of planetary
colors. the ruddy hue of the one being in
f,il, ,it,,r q.
other. On the 18th. Jupiter, Mars. and
the moon are in conjunction, and enthusi-
a>tic star -gazerS who anticipate the dawn
will be rewarded with charming picture
of the waning moon with two bright plan
cts foremost among the starry throng that
graceS her court.
Mars is morning star, but his course
during the month is so closely interviewer
with that of his giant brother that the rec
ord of the one is but the repetition of that
of the other They are both in the con-
Stellaton Aquarious. and both in southern
decliration. As, however, Mars moves
much faster than Jupiter, the two planets
will not long remain in close proximity.
Saturn is morning star, and is fast COM
inc into a more favorable position for OBJ
seryation. He is to be found in the con-
Stellation Pisces, not far from the eqinoc-
tial colure, rising now ut 4 o'clock, and at
the close of the month at ,. He is in con-
junction with the moon ON the morning of
the 18th. On the 3lst Jupiter rises twelve
minutes before |, and Saturn six minutes
after ? An observer commanding II
view of the eastern horizon will find it an
interesting study to watch these planets as
they rise in quick succession.
Mercury is morning star, rising now
about halt-past I, and at the end of the
month ut half-past 3. He may be seen
about the middle of the month an hour be-
fore sunrise, rs he reaches his greatest
western elongation, on the ith, and for
few days before and after that eyent is
tavorabv situated for observation, this be-
ing one Of the four opportunities during
the year when he may be picked up by
bright star gazers rs morning star. He is
in conjunction with the moon on the 18th,
when four planets and the waning cres-
cent are visible at the same time
The May moon fulls on the 9th In her
last quarter she pays her respects in turn
to the four morning stars. The new moon
of the 2lst is at her nearets point to Venus
on the 9th, and to Uranus on the 2Sth.
Brorsen comet has passed its perihelion
and is approaching the earth. reaching its
nearest point on the 10th, when it may be
looked for among the smaller stars in the
head of the Great Bear. Its course is cir
cumpolar, and therefore in this latitude it
does not set. If it were only n more dis
tinguished member of the family, there
would be a fine opportunity to watch its
progress 1t is difficult now to detect
with telescope the tiny point of nebulous
haze that marks its nce.-Proridencc
JournW.