Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-05
NO. 4,
Misrellanfous.
PLANETS IN JANUARY.

Mars is evening star, and though de-
creasing in size and brilliancy, and In
creasing his distance from the earth. Is
still an Interesting object for observation.
lie is moving rapidly eastward in what Is
called direct motion; as his path lies in
the vicinity of several first-magnitude
stars, they will serve as measures OF his
progress. He is now approaching Aide.
baran, one Of the brightest Of the red
stars. and n fine opportunity will thus be
afforded for making comparative studies
of the fixed star and planet that closely
resemble each other. The regularity OF
the starry arch formed by the three PLAN
cts, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. will soon
be broken. Jupiter will approach Saturn
and Mars will run away from them both
ut a rapid pace Those who have traced
the wanderings Of this trio Of planets dur.
ing the summer and autumn have enjoyed
delightful illustrations Of planetary move
ments. The change in the position OF
these planets will be perceptible during
the month. for they are all moving east
ward; Jupiter will be seen to come lit
tie nearer Saturn, and \ much wider
space will intervene between Mars and
Saturn. As Mars rises about MONDAY.
he will be near the zenith in the early
evening, and we'll situated for observation.
He sets soon after 3; at the end OF the
month about 2, in the morning.
Jupiter is evening star, and rapidly ap-
preaching his conjunction with the sun.
rs his position in the western evening sky
bears witness. He sets now about half
past 9; at the close of the month about 8.
Though travelling far away from the
earth, and shorn of his brightest beams,
he is superb to behold, as, sinking majes-
tically below the western horizon, he as
serts his claim to the proud title Of king
of the stars.
Saturn is evening star, and has little
that is noteworthy tor observation during
the present month. He is travelling from
us, his murky light is growing more dim.
He moves serenely on his way-setting
now about midnight; at the end of the
month, about 10.
Venus is morning star, and, though
less brilliant than in December, will be
beautiful to see throughout the mornings
of January, while retracing her steps she
each day draws nearer the sun. as any OBJ
server may see by watching the time Of
her rising. She rises now about 4; at the
close of the month about 5, only little
more than two hours before the sun.
Mercury is morning star throughout the
month, rising about 6; at the close Of the
month about 7. He is not very favorably
situated for being seen. though as he now
rises an hour and half before sunrise. he
may possibly be picked up few degrees
north of the point where the sun will ap-
pear.
The January moon fulls on the 9th.
The old moon is near Uranus on the End.
On the morning of the 9Th, the eastern sky
will present picture worth getting up
early to see, for Venus and the waning
moon will then be in conjunction. tho
moon being to the right of the planet; on
the 9th, there will be a new exhibition Of
the same picture, with the parts reversed,
the moon of the 18th will be very near
Jupiter during the evening hours of the
10Th; near Saturn till they set on the even
ing of the 18th; near Mars, on the right
of the planet, on the evening of the Goth.
and near Mars, on the left Of the planet,
on the evening OF the 21st.
The winter morning will be graced by
the presence of Venus. the fairest and
brightest of all the host that keep watch
and guard over the sleeping earth, and
specially on the mornings Of the 8th and
9th will she be fair to see, with the slcn-
der crescent of the old moon now on her
right and now on her left. Jupiter and
the fcur-days-old moon will be close to-
gether on the evening of the 10Th, and II
the clouds are kind, the celestial flirta-
ton" will rank as one Of the most delight
ful starry pictures Of the month. Jupiter,
Saturn and Mars throw their planetary
arch over the western sky for the last time
for many months to come. Changes are
constantly occurring among the bcaming
stars that stud the sky as among the more
prosaic elements that make up life ON
earth. The map of the heavens as spread
nightly above our heads is never the same
to mortal vision. The month is marked
by the grandest Of all phenomena, total
eclipse Of the sun on the 11th, invisible
to us. but visible in the western part Of
the United States and the Northern Pacific
Ocean. - Pr0Uidence Journal.