The Portland daily press., 1880-09-09

miles nearer the sun than at aphelion, Jupiter
comes at that epoch forty-six million miles
nearer the great central orb. He is then,
however, more than four hundred and fifty
million miles from the sun, fortunately far
enough away to counteract and mollify the
increased force of attraction between two such
mighty masses.
Observers have not failed to note during the
last month, renewed proofs of elemental dis
turbance, though there has been little increase
in the severity or continuance of atmosphericaI
phenomena. Earthquakes, water-spouts, tor
nadoes, hurricanes, cyclones falling meteors
of unusual size, waves of heat, exhaustipg to
human indurance, waves of cold, close in the
wake of the heat, frost and ice in the low
lands, and snow-storms and winter winds in
elevated localities, have all been recorded on
the weather reports, and may as we1l be as
cribed to the baneful influence of Jupiter, as
accounted for on any other yet improved theo-
ry. Nature has however beautifully alter
mated her sunshine and storm, giving a pre-
ponderance to the days when peaceful infu-
ences reigned, and the perfection of summer
weather crowned the season with its choicest
gifts. 1t is safe, then, to feel that the Rubicon
of Jupiter's perihelion is passed, for the twen-
ty-fve days yet to be completed count as moth
ing in revolution requiring nearly eleven thou
sand of our days, or twelve of our years. Ju-
piter's movements will therefore be full of
interest during the present month for all low
ers Of the stars
Nearly twelve years must pass before the
conditions will again be as favorable for OBJ
servation. 1t is a rare pleasure to watch this
superb planet at his present near approach, as
he comes beaming above the eastern hori.
zen about o'clock, magnificent in size and
radiant in golden light, the fairest and bright
est OF all the stars among the myriads that
glitter in the armament, bright enough to cast
shadow and afford q glimpse Of his moons
through good opera glass. It is still more
satisfactory pleasure to watch the phases Of
the grandest member Of the system through
telescope. No earthly tints can compare in
ciearness and delicacy with the golden hue Of
his disc, with the purple, pink and blue Of his
many belts, and with the ruddy glow Of his
great spot, while nothing can be more interest
ing than to study the phases Of the four dia-
mond points OF light that bear witness to tho
presence Of his moons, and picture solar sys-
tenn in miniature. Astronomers have made
careful observations OF the great spot to deter
mine more accurately the time Of the planets
revolution on its axis. 1t almost takes ones
breath away to think that Jupiter turns on his
axis in about ten hours, so that an observer on
his equator would be carried around at the
stead of the seventeen miles that mark the
comparatiyely moderate proeress made by an
inhabitant at tbe eartb's equator Juniter
rises now about 3: at the end of the mouth
about 6.
Saturn is o morning star, and follows closely
in the stems Of his brilliant rival durinp the
month He will NOT reach his neribelion till
1874 Int he ia annroacbinr his onnosition' and
this most favorable position for obssryation il
Increased bv the wide-onen presentation of