Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-01-28
The Solar System In Miniature.

iho bohuoh mes gives tnc loHoWing III
teresting description of useful invention,
by an Italian, which for want of better
name is called a planetarium d" 1t is erected
in the center of room with high ceiling.
On entering the room one sees high circu-
lar chamber, or box, standing on twelve
wooden pillars. On entering underneath
this chamber, and looking up, dome is
seen, deep blue, and sprinkled with stars,
the chief northern consultations being in
their proper places, and round the base of
the dome the names Of the signs of the
zodiac. Hanging from the top of the dome
by narrow tube is an opal globe, lit inside
by gas, and representing the sun. From
wires, almost invisible, the planets are sus-
pended around the sun, of sizes and at dis
tances proportionate to the real sizes and dis.
tauces, and each having its proper inclina-
tion to the plane of its orbit. The various
moons are in their places and Saturn has his
rings. The general effect on looking up at
this arrangement from below is strangely
impressive, and this effect is increased,
when the inventor, by turning key, sets
the system in motion, rapid or slow, as he
chooses. The sun turns on his axis, and the
planets in their orbits, all in time accurately
proportionate, and on watching the move
ments for short time one easily realizes
the immense differences in length of the
years of the earth and those of the outer
planets BY an ingenious watchwork ar
rangement inside the earth, which is the
size Of walnut, our world is made to re-
volve on its axis, the latter being always
made to point to the same quarter of the
heavens The same arrangement causes the
moon to revolve around the earth in its own
proper orbit. Not sound is heard when
the machinery is in motion, and all these
movements take place in that solemn
silence, which is characteristic of the
starry sky"
After reading such description, we turn
back well nigh discouraged to our school
room aud the rude objects with which
we endeavor to help those interested in this
fascinating study to realize, as far as possible,
the arrangements of the solar system. But
we live in hope that this woodworking
age will yet produce means which shall
be within the reach of every "poor village
schoolmaster and thus aid in bringing this
science to the humblest doors. But let us
step from under the Italians dome,
-"Out into the open sky,
And list to natures teachings"
If it be early evening, Mars is nearing the
meridian, few degrees south of the Pleiades,
and being near several frst-magnitude stars,
his rate of motion from month to mouth can
readily be observed. He is approaching Al
debaran, the bright, red star of the Hyades, a
V shaped cluster in the constellation Taurus,
and an opportunity will thus be given for
comparative study of the fixed star and
planet which are so nearly alike in color.
On January 3lst Mars rises at twenty four
minutes past eleven p. NJ. and sets at two
the next morning.
Mars, Saturn and Jupiter still form re-
markably conspicuous line in the evening
sky. Those who have traced the wander
ings of these three planets during the
months past have enjoyed unusual facilities
for observing planetary movements. "One
morning last May Mars overlook Jupiter,
and for few hours, the fiery hue of one aud
the golden glow of the other cleaned side
by side" On the last morning in June
Mars came close to Saturn, and there was a
near approach to that rare celestial phenom-
enon, the occultation of one planet by
another. A month or two later Mars, still
plunging eastward, and Jupiter westward, a
starry girdle partly spanned the sky, marked
by the trio at nearly equal distances. Mars
kept on its eastward course till the equilib-
rum was destroyed, then again turning
westward, the arch assumed its symmetrical
attracting, during the last few
weeks, the attention and calling forth the
admiration of every beholder."
Saturn moves so slowly, remaining two
years in each constellation, that once 10.
Gated he is afterwards easily found. His
rings, which astronomers say are composed
of satellites revolving about the planet,
and one or two of his eight moons can be
seen with an ordinary glass.
Jupiter sets early aud is therefore not as
interesting as in December. Observations
upon it must be made between six and
eight A. NJ, Between those hours /" the first
satellite will disappear on the 9th by going
behind the planet on the 7th, will reappear
from transit, on the l4th will be invisible,
because in transit, on the 18th will come
out of shadow and on the 3Oth will pass
from the face Of Jupiter.
Hnxv Tvna A.. NaAa