The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-06
IL WEATHER YESTERDAY was cloudy OF

[Proyidsrco Journal.l


Ing, alter the 7th. and will be in his best
and brightest position for observation
through the month OF October, one OF the
most favorable seasons OF the year for en-
joying the glory Of the star-spangled firma.
ment. That much.dreaded epoch in his revo-
luton, his periheli0n, was safely passed on
the 25,h Of September, and bis vast bulk
will sweep on in resstless course farther
and farther from the sun for six years to
come. Not till 1891 will he appear again in
his present size and brillancy. Therefore
diligent heed should be paid to his superb
appearance in the eastern sky, where, soon
as the sun has set and the short twilight
fades, he reigns supreme among the twink
ling mysteries that form his brilliant court.
Ii is not flatterng to human pride to feel that
one third OF the inhabitants OF the earth
will have passed away before our giant bro
ther completes another revolution around
| the sun
On the 7ih Jupiter is In opposition when
! he is at the nearest point to the earth, the
earth being directly between him and the
sun. Thus be is now about one hundred
| and eighty million miles nearer the earth,
and at the same time nearly fofty.siy million
miles nearer the sun than when at his ex-
treme distance from each. The combination
OF the two conditions makes him glorious
object for planetary study. Observers who
have access 10 telescopes should improve the
opportunity to behold him in bis present
superb aspect, with bis moons, belts, and
rudy spot, and note the exquisite softness
and delicscy OF bis celestial coIoring.
Those who cannot enjoy telescope view
will find with good Opera.glass a lovely
picture OF the planet and his moons, the
disc OF the planet being plainly visible, and
the moons looking like minute points OF
gold on the azure blacknesS OF the sky.
Whether this great planet is pulling upon
the sun with disturbing force that is per-
ceptibly felt or not, it is certain that an
unusual cOmmotion exists in the great lu-
minary. Elemental warfare is still going
on. Snow four inches deep in a western
State, a prevalent malaria in regions where
it has not before existed for many years,
and unusual magnetic and electric dis
turbanceS manifested in violent deflections
OF the magnetic needle, and brilliant auro-
raj displays, are some OF the recent forms in
which the storln-agitated surface OF the sun
has found expression in terrestrial terri
tory. MeteOrs OF unusual size, duration,
aud dazzling brilliancy are also 10
be ranked with the phenomena OF the sea-
son. The face OF the sun is still darkened
with spots OF great numbers and immense
proportions, and tongues of fame are
playing over his fiery surface as is usual
at this maximum Of the sun.spot cycle.
The epoch OF auroral light and mag.
netic storm has evidently commenced,
and brilliant shows OF northern lights may
now be looked for. Meantime storm has
alternated with sunshine, bounteous har.
vests have rewarded the husbandman, and
the perfection OF autumnal weather has
crowned the season IN our temperate cline,
while this zone of the earth. except in the
recurrence OF waves OF heat and waves Of
cold, has little reason thus far to complain
of Jupiter's perihelion or the great spot
cycle. Ii seems a stretch OF imagination TO
think OF our sun as a small yellow star
twinkling in the heavens with a variable
light to gaZers from the remote regions OF
space. Such is doubtless its appearance,
while the planets, including great Jupiter,
can no more be seen than we can see dark
planets circlng around the stars that glitter
in our nocturnal sky. Atoppositiou, as the
word implies, Jupiter seems TO be opposite
the sun, and will rise when the sun sets,
and be visible throughout the night. On
the 7th, therefore, he will rise about half
past s, and after that few minutes earlier
every night. At the end OF the month he
will set about 4 in the morning.
SATURN will be evening star according to
astronomical records after the 18th. He
then comes into opposition, and like Jupi-
ter is at his nearest point to the earth. The
reason he is so much less conspicuous Is
that be is not as large aud is twice as far
away. He.is, however. in unusually favor.
able circumstances for observation. Be-
sides his being at the nearest point, be is
travelling towards perihelIon, his rings are
opening to their widest extent, and he is in
northern declination. II Jupiter were out
OF the way he would command more at
tention. He far surpasses him in telescope
view and nothing can be imagined more
magnificent than sight OF this planet ~
be now lies Graded in his rings. An opera
glass will show an elongation in Saturn's
disc caused by the rings. The two planets
are moving south, but as Jupiter moves
faster they will be slightly farther apart at
The end OF the month than they are now,
Saturn'being still northwest OF Jupiter and
rising little more than half an hour later.
At opposition on the 18th, Saturn rises at
sunset soon after s.; at the close OF the
month he sets about hali-past A in the morn
ing.
VENUS is evening star, and Is now far
enough away from the sun to be distinctly
visible after the sunset, shining In the twi-
light glow with q serene loyeliness that
gives promise OF what may be expected
when she reigns supreme in the west In the
winter months, while the evarescent splen.
dor OF Jupiter and Saturn slowly fade. She
must be looked for about 50 south OF the
point where the sun sets. She sets now
about half past 9, three-quarters OF an hour
after the sun; ut the end OF the month about
a quarter after 6, more than an hour and a
quarter after the sun.
MERCURY is evening star, aud may possi-
bly, be seen on the last OF the month soon
after sunset. He must be looked for more
! than degree farther south than Venus, and
also between Venus and the horizon. He
sets now soon after the sun; at the end OF
| the month about 8 O'Clock.
| URANUS Is morning star, and wanders
among the stars OF Leo. lie Is coming to-
wards us, and therefore increasing in bril-
| liancy, though still too small to be visible to
the naked eye. He rises now about O'Clock
at the end OF the month about 2 O'Clock.
| MARS will be numbered with the morn
ing stars after the 25th. when he Is in cons
Junction with the sun. He then, as the
word implies, seems TO be Joined with the
sun. rising and setting with him. and fol-
lowing so closely In hls track as TO be OF no
| interest TO observers. 1t must be remem'
bered concerning the outer planets that al
conjunction they are at their most distant
point from the earth, aud most unfavorabiy
situated for study, while at opposition they
ere at their nearest point and most favOra'
bly, situated for study. Ga the a5th Mar