The Portland daily press., 1880-08-06

Those who have faith in the influence of the
near approach of the giant OF the system as a
disturbing force in the photosphere of the great
central luminary will find facts to substan-
tiate their theory in the unusual elemental
warfare that has marked the records of the
last month. Earthquakes, numerous and de-
structive, have borne witness to the internal
commotion going on in the unknown depths
beneath the earth's slender crust; whirl-
wind and waterspout, such as was never
known in the memory of the Oldest inhabi-
tant, has spent its fateful force ON a New
England peninsula; floods, 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 lay on the lowlands of Massachusetts,,
snow fell on the Catsklls, and ice and snow
chilled the blood of the pleasure-seekers on
Mt. Washington. Those who believe that the
planets have no more power to disturb the sun
han the gnat seated on the horn of the bull
was able to ruffle the equanimity of his brother
animal in the fable, will triumphan:ly point to
similar atmospherical phenomena when there
were no spots on the sun, and Jupiter was mil
lions of miles away from perihelion. Observa-
tion is the grand weapon with which astrono-
my fights her battles; and centuries OF patient
combat with the almost insuperable obstacles
that beset the path can alone bring certainty
to the many theories concerning the relations
between the sun and his family of planets 1t is
a comforting assurance to know that Jupiter
will be safely beyond his perihelion before the
other outer planets reach this important point
in their orbits Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
all touch their perihelion in 1884, giving prom
Use of respite before they take their turn in
pulling with one accord upon the sun. Jupi-
ter will be superb object to every beholder
during the August evenings, ,as he comes beam
ing above the horizon like a brilliant young
moon. He rises now about ten; at the end of
the month about eight
Saturn is morning star, and follows closely
in the wake of the more brilliant Jupiter. He
is, however, no mean object for observation, as
he rises TO the northwest of his rival and about
a halt hour later. He is increasing in size and
clearness of tint, and is we'll worthy of atten-
ton in his present phase. The two planets re-
tain nearly the same position 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 ten; at the
end of the month at half-past eight,
Mercury is morning star after the 9Th, when
he comes into inferior conjunction with the
sun, passing between the eartn and the sun,
and reappearing on the western side to play
greatest western elongation on the 21stand his
perihelion on the Goth. He sets now few min
utes after 7, nearly with the sun; at the end of
the month he rises few minutes after four,
being, during his course, too near tue sun to be
favorable for observation.
Venus is evening star, and hugs the sun too
closely to be seen in the early part of the
month, setting then about twenty minutes af-
ter the sun. But towards the close OF the
month, bright-eyed observers may detect her
b0aminU nrpaanca for nearly a half h0ur aftQr
sunset, and next month she will be glorious to
behold. She may be looked for about four de-
grees south of the point of sunset, rising now
few minutes later than half-past seven; at
en-.
Mars is evening star, and may be seen during
the early portion of the month, though so far
away and so near the sun that he will soon be
lost to view. He is pursuing his rapid course
among the small stars of Lebo, and presents
during the month little worthy of record. He
sets now about half-past eight lat the end of the
month about half-past seven.
Uranus is evening star, following closely in
the path of Mars, threading with slow steps his
winding way among the stars of Leo. A close
conjunction occurs between Mars and Uranus
on the first, at four o'clock in the afternoon,
when the two planets are only seventeen min
utes of degree apart Uranus being that short
distance south of Mars. The celestial phenom-
enon will be delightful to witness through a
good telescope, the delicate sea-foam green of
Uranus contrasting finely with the fiery red of
Mars though they are not quite near enough
to be embraced in the same field of vision
On the twentieth there is close conjunction
between Uranus and Venus, the planets being
forty-five minutes of degree apart. This
phenomenon will afford fine opportunity to
the telescope student for a study OF the con-
trast in planetary colors, the delicate tintof
Uranus and the inimitable soft golden hue of
Venus being beautifully illustrated Uranus
sets now about half-past eight, at the end of
the month about sunset.
The August moon fulls ON the Goth. The
new moon Of the 9Th pays her respects in quick
succession to fonr Of the planets; to Mercury
on the 9th, the day Of her birth, to Venus on
the 9th, and to Uranus and Mars on the 8th.
On the 23d the moon is near Jupiter, and on
the oath she is near Saturn.
Among noteworthy events, the first in i'm
portance will be the continued study Of ele-
mental disturbance in terrestrial territories in
connection with sun spots and the grand pull
which mighty Jupiter is exerting upon the
great centre of life and light. 1t will be well,
also, to remember that his mass greatly exceeds
that of all the other planets combined, and
that the difference between his equatorial and
polar diameter is five thousand miles, or more
thanshalf of the whole diameter,of the globe.
Planetary possibilities are nobly illustrated in
our big brother with his princely retinue of
moons, and his brilliant belts and cloud-rifts.
ON the last evening of the month, and rich
observers who first discern her presence, with
her golden lamp freshly lighted from the SUMS
undying flames.