Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-21
AhouttheP Iansts.

all approaching their perihelia, and
bringing about a condition of planet
ary affairs that has not occurred for
two thousand years. Jupiter reaches
the goal first, arriving at perihelion
on the 18th Of September. Such is
the eccentricity Of his orbit that he
will then be forty-six millions of miles,
or about half of the whole distance of
the earth from the sun, nearer to the
great central fire than when farthest
away. He is also at that time almost
at his nearest point to the earth, com
ing into opposition with the sun elev-
en- days after perihelion. The earth
is then directly between him and the
sun but the earth is farthest
from the sun in July, and will be
at considerably more than her mean
distance in September, when Jupiter
is forty six million miles nearer 1t
may easily be seen that when at oppo-
sition the earth is at or near her
greater distance, and Jupiter at his
least distance from the sun, the two
planets will be almost as near together
as they can be. Such will be the case
next October, and the giant of the
system will soon give evidsnce of the
fact in his increasing size and bril-
liancy, being brighter than he has
been for nearly twelve years. The
| difference will not be so marked as IN
the case ofMars under the same con
ditions, for nearly four hundred mil
lion miles of space intervene between
the earth and the huge planet even
when nearest. Jupiter, therefore.
will be a source of intense interest
during the coming months as he APP
proaches and recedes from his perihe-
lion and opposition. The greatest
problem Of the effect of his approach
upon the mysterious s%unperiod of the
sun will be first in Importance.
Many astronomers scout the idea Of
such an influence. Many more find
nothing improbable in the theory that
the approach of a huge mass to the
sun should produce disturbance in his
blazing elements, evidently in commo.
ton from some cause, while the near
correspondence in time between the
maximum Of the spot-period and the
revolution of Jupiter favor the argu.
ment. No one doubts that the dis
turbed condition of the sun will be
reflected on the earth in waves Of in
tense heat, severe storms and auroral
displays, or that the same influence
Will be felt in the same way to the
systems remotest bounds.
Gigantic Jupiter, as his mighty
mass plunges towards the sun, gives
evidence of mighty forces at work
among the chaotic elements of his
cloud surface. A spot has been seer
on his disc for nearly a year, elliptical
in form, red in color, and with a d.
ameter of twenty thousand miles. No
observer understands the cause Of this
huge rift. 1t may be an opening in
the cloud atmosphere disclosing the
more solid matter beneath, and it may
be something beyond human ken.
About the 22nd inst. it is hoped that
the planet will be again in favorable
position for the observation of the red
| spot, and patient investigators will not
be wanting to make the best of the
opportunity. This beautiful planet
may now be seer in the eastern sky,
%serenely unconscious of the excite.
ment produced by its movements.
Saturn is evening star, but no es-
pecial interest is attached to his move
ments Just now.
Venus is a morning star, and though
at nearly her greatest distance from
the earth, and rising only about hall
an hour before the sun, is a charming
object to behold in the pleasant May
mornings, as, tremulous with bright
ness, she CLEANS in the rosy glow that
heralds the neal approach of the sun.
She rises now about a quarter after
four at the close of the month, a few
minutes before four, keeping at nearly
the same distance from the sun.
Mercury is morning star throughout
the month, though after the first few
days invisible.
Neptune is morning star after the
I'd. As he travels on the systems
EXTREMIST verge, and is now more
than twenty-eigh hundred million
miles away, terrestrial observers will
not be much wiser for attempting to
trace his movements.
Mars is evening star, and still holds
the honor Of being the only planet
visible in the evening. He shines in
diminishing glory among the stars OF
Gemini. He is so far away and his
fiery rays have become so dim that he
is not of much account among his
brethren.
Uranus is evening star and travelling
far away from visibility, though still
very near the star Rho Leonis.
The feature of the month is the
unusual number of planets doing duty
rs morning stars. Jupiter. Saturn,
Venus, Mercury and Neptune form
the shining quintette that sing to.
gether as they wait the coming Of the
sun. If mortal ears are not tuned to
hear the music of the morning
stars. mortal eyes will enjoy rare
pictures ON the celestial canvas during
the mild May mornings. Venus, Sl-
turn and Mercury rise within a few
minutes of each other on the LIST.
Throughout the wiANer Venus reigned
alone as morning star, and Jupiter.
Saturn and Mars, far asunder, spanned
the evening sky. Now they are all
morning stars, grouped near each
other and neal the sun, And vel
such is the variety and simplicity Of
the noble science Of astronomy, that
an intelligent child can comprehend
the movements Of the planets.
Observers Of the stars have enough