The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-04
Juptter I'm HIS Glory.

1
THE BRILLIANT ASTRONOMICAL FEATURE or
THE SEPTEMBER HEAyENs-THE HARVEST
! MOON.
The Providence journal has the follow
ing:
astronomical calendar, though observers
who note his early advent above the hori-
zon will naturally class bin rs evening star.
| But scientists have their laws, and one OF
these is that the outer planets are ranked as
morning stars from conjunction TO 0pposl-
ton, and evening stars from opposition to
conjunction. September records an event
OF noteworthy interest on its planetary an.
nails, for on the 25th occurs the long-antci-
pated and muchdreaded epoch, the peri
helion OF Jupiter. Our giant brother
then reaches his nearest point TO the sun,
and is also within few days OF
his opposition or nearest point TO the earth.
But while the earth at peribelion is only
| 3, ,000, 900 miles nearer the sun than at aphe-
| lion, Jupiter comes at that epoch 46,000.0 900
miles nearer the great central orb. He is
then, however, more than $50, 900, 900 miles
! from the sur-fortunately far enough away
| to counteract and mollify the increased force
Of attraction between Two such mighty
masses. Observers have not failed 10 note
during the last month renewed proofs OF
elementary disturbance, though there has
been little increase in the severity or con-
tinuaBce OF atmospherical phenomena.
Earthquakes, water-spouts, tornadoes, hur-
ricanes, cyclones, falling meteorS Of
unusual size, waves OF heat exhaust
ing 10 human endurance, waves OF
cold close in the wake OF the heat, frost
and ice in the lowlands, and snow.
storms and winter winds in elevated locali-
ties, have all been recorded on the weather
reports, and may as well be ascrbed TO the
baneiul influence OF Jupiter, as accounted
for on any other yet improved theory. Ma
ture has, however, beautifully alternated
her sunshine and storm, giving prepon-
derance TO the days when peaceful in1u-
ences reigned, and the perfection OF sum-
mer weather crowned the season with its
choicest gifts. 1t is safe, then, to feel that
the Rubcon Of Jupiter's perihelion is
passed, for the twenty-five days yet to be
completed count as nothing in revolution
requiring nearly 1l,000 OF our days, or
twelve OF our years. Jupiter's movements
will therefore be full OF interest during the
present month for all lovers Of the stars.
Nearly twelve years must pass before the
conditions will again be as favorable for OBJ
servation. Ii is rare pleasure to watch
this superb planet at his present near APP
proach as he comes beamiug above the
eastern horizon about 8 O'Clock, magnificent
in size and radiant in golden light, the fair.
est Of all the stars among the myriads that
glitter in the ornament, bright enough to
cast shadow and afford glimpse OF his
moons through good opera-glass. 1t is
still more satisfactory pleasure to watch the
phases Of the grandest member OF the
system through a telescope. No earthly
tints can compare in ciearness and dellcacy
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 LothiDg can be more interesting than
TO study the phases OF the four diamond
points of light that bear witness 10 the
presence of his moons, and picture solar
system in miniature. Astronomers have
made careful observations of the great spot
to determine 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 rate OF
nearly five hundred miles minute instead
Of the seventeen miles that mark the COM
paratiyely moderate progress made by an
rises now about s, at the end of the month
about 6.
Saturn is morning star and follows close
" in the steps of his brilliant rival during
the month. He will not reach his perihelion
till 1884, but he is approaching his opposi-
ton, aud this most favorable position for
observation is increased by the wlde-open
presentation OF the rings, giving the planet
greater apparent dimensions and much
clearer tint. The planets are both moving
south. Saturn is now about two degrees
and O half north Of Jupiter; but as Jupiter
moves the faster, the distance between them
will increase at the end Of the month TO
about three degrees and quarter. Saturn
is also little more than half degree west
OF his brilliant neighbor. Therefore he will
rise about a half hour later, and may be
found making bis appearance above the
eastern horizon at half past 8, at the end OF
the month at balf-past g..
The September moon fulls on the 18th. 1t
is the lovelest moon OF all the year--the
glorious harvest moon. The old moon is
near Mercury on the morning OF the Sd and
near Uranus on the 4th. The new moon OF
the 4th is in conjunction with both Venus
and Mars on the 5th. The full moon Of the
18th is in conjunction with Jupiter on the
20lh and with Saturn on the 2lst.
The sky unrolls a charming page on Sep
tember nights for those who love to gaze
upon the twnkipg records and interpret
the mysterious symbols engraved in golden
text. The greatest epoch is the much-talk-
ed-of periheIion Of Jupiter, occurring about
Z O'Clock on the evening OF the 25tb. The
specially favorable conditions for the study
OF Jupiter and Saturn must be borne in mind
as well as the enjoyment of watching these
planets as they rise above the eastern hllls
transcendent in beauty, pursue their stately
course to the zenith, and slowly descend to
the west, being visible throughout the night.
The harvest moon is another prominent OBJ
ject OF beauty, rising night after night al
most as soon as the sun has set, and seeming
TO prolong the shortening autumnal day
with her food OF serene and silyery light.
A German scientist has succeeded IN oh.
taining q chemiesl composition by means OF
which mirror image may be liked aud SOLD
- n .okcfourarh With this pOmu0gittOu