The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-03
Providence journal.
Planets I'm April.

SATURN Is evening star, though only for
a few days, and wins the first place during
the month on account OF an important
epoch in his course. This event is his con-
inr ction with the sun on the Tth, after
which he joins the morning stars. At this
time Saturn, the sun, and the earth are in
straight line, with the sun in the centre.
He is then at his greatest distance from the
earth-moTe than len hundred million
miles-sets With the sun as the word "con-
junction" indicates, and is invisible, being
eclipsed by the solar radiance. Since 1876 Sa-
turn has been below his average brightness,
owing TO the rings being seen nearly edge
wise But from the present time till 1885
! he will constantly grow brighter. for, during
this interval, he passes his perihelion, his
point OF greatest northern decination, and
| his rings open out TO their widest extent.
| Those who have access to telescopes Will
enjoy matchless views OF the most magni-
! ficient object in the solar system. Observers
with the naked eye will find great interest
, in watchip" his movements from the time
when he emerges from his proximity to
| the sun and becomes visible as morning
star, about a month hence, until he reaches
his opposition in October, when he
will be in his brightest phase, bis seeming
course around the sun being about hall COM
pleted. Those who study the stars will
have plenty Of occupation In the coming
years. The index hand on the celestial dial
plate points 10 events Of mOmentous import.
The four great planets reach their nearest
point TO the sun more nearly together than
they have done for almost two thousand
wears, Ii is not unreasonable to suppose
that with their strong pull and pull all to-
gether they will create some unusual dis
| IN ho chaotic n olhpnnpf. that make
up the suns fiery mass. Tue forces Of the
new spot cycle are now in active operation,
and those who have closely watched the in
fluence of the solar disturbance on climatic
conditions predict a hot summer from
the beat-waYes that follow the commence
ment OF the tremendous solar outbreaks.
The hidden chambers OF the great pyramid
have given forth in oracular fashion mo-
mentous prophecies fer 1881 to the few dis
ciples who have faith in their teachings,
and astroiogers cast strange horoscopes
from the unusual planetary combinations.
Meantime the celestial panorama unfolds Its
interesting scenes slowly and serenely be-
fore admiring and terrestrial eyes. The dis
turbances that startle the finite powers oil
the human race are but as the dust OF the
balance in the order and harmony that rule
in the realms OF infinite space, and millions
of wears must elapse before the suns fires
cease to burn. Saturn sets now about Z; a
the close OF the month he rises about half
past 4.
JUPITER is morning star, and will soon D'
an interesting object for observation as b'
increases his distance from the sun. Ill
reaches his periheliOn in September a
nearly the time OF opposition, so that he i
coming nearer TO us than he has been fol
more than eleven years, and VIII Therefore
be seen in his brightest phase in the sum
mer and autumn months. On the Sth, Jupl
ter is near Mercury, and again on the 1Sth
On the 18th, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury
are near together, and possibly visible tC
bricht-eyed observers. Jupiter rises now
about half-past 5 at the end OF the month
he will rise about a quarter before 4, nearly
: an hour and a quarter before the suH.
VENUS is morning star. with nothing spe
cially noteworthy in her history during th(
month. She is approaching the sun and re
ceding from the earth, and is shorn Of hel
brightest beams. On the morning OF tht
} 30th beautiful planetary trio may bt
looked for. consisting OF Venus, Saturn
and Mercury. They will be visible abou
! an hour before sunrise. Venus rises now
, about ): at the end of the month about
quarter after 4.
MERCURY is morning star, and reaches bi
greatest western elongation on the 26th
He NAV be seen for few days b5fore ant
! after that event, as it is one of the thre
favorable times during the year when he i
visible TO the naked eye as morning star
: Mercury is an active member OF the sola
brotherhood during the month. he divide
his attention between the moon and Jupte
on the Stb. starts on his descending node oil
the 9th. is stationary among the stars on tn
10th, approaches Venus on the 1oth, AM
.. Jupiter second time on the 18th; is at bl
greatest distance from the sun on the l9th
and at his greatest western elongatlon OF
the 25th. This busy and swift.fOoted plane
rises now about half-past D; at the end
the month about A.
MARS is evening star, and enjoys the dis
tinction Of being the only planet visible a
night. He is leaving Aldebaran behlnu
and plunging in his headlong career anon!
the smaller stars OF Taurus and Gemini. Oh
the 26th be will be directly north OF tn
brilliant star Sirius. Mars sets now abou
a half hour after midnight; at the end o
1.-THE month he sets about quarter OF al
hour before midnight.
Uranus is evening star, but travelling 81
far away as 70 become difficult object fol
naked-eye observation. He keeps IN th
near vicinity OF Rho LeOnis, and telescope
will bring them both into the same 1eld o
vision, the star still shining like orllllan
point, and the planet being transformed
into young moon, with disc OF delicate
sea-green tint. A fine opportunity is thu
afforded for q study OF the difference be
tween an immeasurably distant star and
comparatively near planet--tbe one remain
ing q point under any magnlfyiDg powe
VET reached, the other as surely developing
, disc. Uranus rises now about q; al In
close of the month aboM 1.
The April moon fuls on the 24th. IN
waning moon is near Venus on the 7th am
near Mercury and Jupiter on the 9TH. In
new moon Of the 9th is near Saturn on IN
day OF her change, near Mars on the lotn
and near Uranus on the 10th.
The interest OF the month concentrates OF
the morning stars, for after the TN venus
Jupitcr, Mercury, and Saturn are all mum
bered on this list. Venus especially VIII D.
the herald OF the sun throughout the month
I for though in her distant phase, she SUI
reigns as the brightest star In the heavens
She will form lovely picture as conpan
: ion for the slender waning moon on w
morning Of the 7tb, will divide her queeni
favor between Mercury and Jupiter on ID
18th. and will appear above the horizon
line nearly at the same time with saturn ant
Mercury on the 80th. Jupiter and Saturl
will become studies OF peculiar lnteres
I from the present time till their opposilio
with the sun next October, when JupteI
Inst after perihelion, will don his brignies
colors. and Saturn will shine Win cieare
| l.,ss.a ts,a,, ha has d0ne for many years.