Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-19
NO93.
Miseellaneous.
PLANETS IN APRIL.

lew days ana wins the nrSt place during
the month on account of an important
epoch in his course. This event is his
conjunction with the sun on the 9Th. 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 Gen.
tire. He is then ut his greatest distance
from the earth, more than ten hundred
million miles, sets with the sun as the
word conjunction" indicates, and is in
visible, being eclipsed by the solar
radiance. Since 1876 Saturn has been be-
low his average brightness owing to the
rings being seen nearly edgewise. But
from the present time till 1885 he will
constantly grow brighter. for during this
interval he passes his pcrihelon, his point
of greatest northern declination, and his
rings open out to their widest extent.
Those who have access to telescopes will
enjoy matchlesS views OF the most mag
niticent object in the solar system. OBJ
servers with the naked eye will find great
interest in watching his movements from
the time when he emerges from his prox-
unity to the sun and becomes visible rs
morning star. about month hence. until
he reaches his opposition in October,
when he will be in his brightest phase,
his seeming course around the sun being
about half completed. Those who study
the stars will have plenty Of occupation in
the coming years. Tho indcx-hand on
the celestial dial plate points to events of
momcntous import. The four great
planets reach their nearest point to the
sun more nearly together than they have
done for almost two thousand years. II
is not unreasonable to suppose that with
their strong pull. and pull all together,
they will create some unusual disturbance
in the chaotic elements that make up the
suns fiery mass. The forces Of the new
spot-cycle are now in active operation,
and those who have closely watched the
influence of the solar disturbance on eli
matte conditions predict hot summer
from the heat-waves that follow the CON-
mencement of the tremendous solar out
breaks The hidden chambers Of the
great pyramid have given forth in oracular
fashion momentous prophecies tor 1881,
To the few disciples who have faith in their
teachings and astrologers cast strange
horoscopes from the unusual planetary
combinations. Meantime the celestial
panorama unfolds its interesting scenes
slowly and serencly before admiring
terrestrial eyes. The disturbances that
startlc the finite powers of 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
years must elapse before the suns fires
cease to burn. Saturn sets now about Z;
at the close of the month he rises about
half-past 4.
Jupiter is morning star, and will soon
be an interesting object for observation as
he increases his distance from the sun.
He reaches his perihelion in September ut
nearly the time of opposition. SO that he
is coming nearer to US than he has been
for more than eleven years, and will there
fore be seen in his brightest phase, in the
summer and autumn months. On tho Sth,
Jupiter is near Mercury, and again on tho
18th. On the 18th. Jupiter Venus and
Mercury are near together and possibly
visible to bright-eyed observers. Jupiter
rises now about half-past 8 at the end
of the month he will rise about = quarter
before L. nearly an hour and a quarter be-
fore the sun.
Venus is morning star with nothing spec
tally noteworthy in her history during the
month. She is approaching the sun and re-
ceding from the earth, and is shorn of her
brightest beams. On the morning of the
3Oth, beautiful planetary trio may be
looked for, consisting of Venus, Saturn
and Mercury. They will be visible about
an hour before sunrise. Venus rises now
about 8; at the end of the month about n
quarter after 4.
Mercury is morning star, and reaches
his greatest western elongation on the 26th.
lie may be seen for few days before and
r.. 41~ua. - ~r
favorable times during the year when he
is visible to the naked eye as morning
star. Mercury is an active member Of the
solar brotherhood during the month. He
divides his attention between the moon
and Jupiter on the 8th. starts on his de-
scending nodes ON the 9th, IS stationary
among the stars on the 10Th, approaches
Venus on the 18th, and Jupiter second
time on the 18th, is at his greatest distance
from the sun on the 10Th, and at his great
est western elongation on the 25tli. The
busy and swift-footed planet rises now
about half-past 8; at the end of the month
about l..
Mars is evening star, and enjoys the
distinction of being the only planet visi-
bic at night. He is leaving Aldebaran
behind and plunging in. his headlong ca
reer among the smaller stars of Taurus
and Gemini. On the 26th ne will be d.
rectly north of the brilliant star Sirius.
Mars sets now about half hour after
midnight; at the end of the month he sets
about a quarter Of an hour before mid
night.
Uranus. is evening star, but travelling
so far away as to become difficult object
for naked eye observation. He keeps in
the near vicinity Of Rho Leonis, and tel
escope will bring them both into the same
field of vision, the star till shining like .
brilliant point. and the planet being trans
formed into young moon, with . disc Of .
delicate sea-green tint. A fine opportuni-
| ty Is thus afforded for a study Of the diff
ference between an UNNECESSARILY distant
star, and comparatively near planet, the
one remaining a point under any magni-
flying power yet reached, the other as sure
" developing'a disc. Uranus rises now
about 3; at the close of the month about
| l.
The April moon falls on the Gath. The
waning moon is near Venus on the 7th,
and near Mercury and kJupiter on the 8th
The new moon Of the 9th, is near Saturn
1 IN tho Aov S>f has ohaun.e s,A~r Hfapa -,