The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-05
Planets in August.

JUPITER Is the evening star, and still re-
tains the supremacy in importance and in
terest among the solar brotherhood as he
rolls on in his Tesistle>S course towards
perhelion and opposition with constantly
increasing speed. Those who bave faith in
the influence OF the near approach OF the
giant OF the system as disturbing force IN
the photosphere Of the great central lnml-
nary will find facts to substaDtiate their
theory in the unusual elemental warfare
that has marked the records Of the last
month. Earthquakes, numerous ara de-
structive, have borne witness TO the inter-
nal commOiion going on in the unknown
depths between the earth'S slender crust
whlrlwind and water-spout, such as was
never known in the memory OF the old
est inhabitant, has spent It's faleful force on
New England peninsula; foods, cyclones,
and tornadoes have been OF almost daily Oc-
currence, as reported on weather records /;
wave OF intense heat has been followed by
cold snap, when fires were comfortable,
frost Law on the lOwlands OF Massachusetts,
snow fell on the Calskills, and ice and snow
chilled The blood OF The pleasure-seekers on
MI. Washington. Those who believe that
the planets have no more power to disturb
the sun than the gnat seated on the horn OF
the bull was able TO ruffle the equanimiiy OF
his brother animal In the fable will triumph
antly point to similar atmOspherical phe-
nomena when there were no spots on the
sun and Jupiter was millions OF miles
awav from perihelion. Observation Is the
grand weapon with which astronomy fights
her battles. and centuries of patient combat
with the almost iDsuperabe obstacles that
beset the path can alone bring certainty 10
the many theories concerning the relations
between the sun and his family of planets.
1t Is comforting assurance TO know that
Jupiter will be safely beyond bis perihelion
before the other outer planets reach this i'm
portant point in tleir orbits. Saturn, Ura-
nus, and Neptune all touch their perlhella
in 1884, giving promise OF respite before
they take their turn IN pulling with one ac-
cord upon the sun. Jupiter will be a su-
perb object to every bebolder during the
August evenings, as he comes beamng
above the horizon like brilliant young
moon. He rises now about 10; at the end
OF the month about 8.
SATURN is morning star, and follows close
IL in the wake of the more brilliant Jupiter.
He is. however, no mean object for observa-
tion. as he rises to the northwest OF his rival
and about q half-hour later. He is increas-
inc in size and clearne>s of tint, and is well
worthy OF attention in his present phase.
The TWO planets retain nearly the same po-
sitiOn in regard TO each other throughout
the month, though Jupiter moves little
faster towards The south, thus widening
slightly the distance between them. Saturn
rises now about half-past 10; at the end oi
the month at half-past s.
| MERCURY is morning star after the 9th,
when he comes into inferior conjunction
with the sun, passing between the earth
and the sun, and reappearlng on his west
ern side TO play his short role OF morning
star. He reaches his greatest western elOn
cation on the 21st and his perlheion on the
Doth. He sets now a few minutes after Z
nearly with the sun; at the end OF th(
month he rises few minutes after 4, being
during his course, too near the sun to ot
favorable for observation.
VENUS is evening star, and hugs the sur
too closely to be seen III the early part O
the month, setting then about twenty min
utes after the sun. But towards The close
Of the month bright.eyed observers may de
feet her beaming presence for nearly bali
honr after sunset, and next month she vii
he glorious TO behold. She may be looked
for about four degrees south OF the poin
of sunset, rising now a few minutes late
than balf-past Z; at The end OF the month I
few minutes after !.
Mans is evening star, and may be seen du
ring the early portion OF The month, though
so far away and so near the sun that he vii
soon be lost TO view. He is pursuing hi
rapid course among the small stars OF Leo
Land presents during the month little worth,
of record. He sets now about half.past 8
at the end OF the month about half-past 7.
Uranus is evening star, following closely
in the path OF Mars, threading with SLOW
steps his winding way among the stars O
Leo. A close conjunction occurs betweeI
Mars and Uranus on the 1st at O'Clock IL
the afternoon, when the two planets ;T'
only seventeen minutes OF degree apart
IJranus being that short distance south o
Mars. The celestial phenomenon will b.
delightful to witness through good tele
scope, the delicate seafoam green OF Uranu
contrasting finely with the fiery red OF Mars
though they are not quite near enough
to he embraced in the same field OF vi
sion. On the goth there is close con
: junction between Uranus and Venus
the planets being forty.tive minutes o
degree apart. This phenomenon wi
afford fine opportunity TO the telescopi
students for study OF the contrast il
planetary cOlors, the delicate tint OF Uranu
, and the inimtable soft golden hue OF Venu
being beautifully illustrated. Uranus set
now about halfpast s, at the end OF th
month about sunset.
The August moon fulls on the 10th. Th
new moon OF the 9Th pays her respects II
ouick succession TO four OF the planets; 4
| Mercury on the 9th, the dav Of her birth
10 Venus on the 9th, and to Uranus ant
Mars on the Slb. On the 23d the moon
near Jupiter, and on the oath she is nea
Saturn.
Among noteworthy events, the first II
importance will be the continued stuay 0
elemental disturbance in terrestrial terrific
ries I'm connection with sun spots and TIT
grand pull which mighty Jupiter Is exert
ing upon the great centre Of life and light
Ii will be well also 10 remember that III
mass greatly exceeds that OF all the othe
planets combined, and that the diiierene
between bis equatorial and polar dihmeie
is five thousand miles, or more tDan baI
OF the whole diameter OF the globe
Planetary possibilities are nobly Nus
ltrated in our big brother with bis princel
relinue OF moons, and his brilliant belts an
cIoud.rifts. Venus Is to be looked for !
the glowing west on the last evening OF th
month aud rich reward In celestial pi'
ture-palnting awaits the observers who hr'
discern her presence with her golden tam
freshly lighted from the suns undyin
flames.