The Portland daily press., 1881-07-04
PRICE 8 CENTS.
Providence Journal.l
Planets in July.


of the 22d, close conjunction occurs between
Jupiter and Mars, when Jupiter passes seven
minutes of degree north of Mars. They will
rise on that morning about ten minutes after
midnight almost exactly at the same time,
and though not at their nearest point till 10
o'clock, will be near enough to make lovely
picture on the morning sky, the red colors of
Mars contrasting finely with the golden hue OF
Jupiter, as in close proximity they run their
way on the celestial course side By side, SEEM
ingly so near as metaphorically to shake hands
across the narrow space that separates them, in
reality so far apart that hundreds of millions of
miles ofspaee intervene between them. The con-
junction Of Jupiter aud Mars appears to the
ordinary observer only as a phenomenon of
SURPRISING beauty, chance meeting of two
brother spheres. Astrologists discern in the
proximity of the two spheres portents of earth
quake, pestilence and various other evils, es-
pecially as the conjunction occurs in the sign
Taurus, ranking it as the fourth in the list of
direful events in this momentous year. The
planets have descended from their high estate
since the discovery of the law of grayitation.
Instead Of being lords OF human destiny, they
arc HOW Du5 SSIfaulS VI bAO SI0db lOECO budt
holds in harmony the worlds Of boundless
space. Their movements among the stars,
their coniunctions and oppositions, are simple
illustrations ofs Newton's law, links in the
chain of its universal application. Theftrong
hold of astrology is demolished by the mighty
power of the human intellect, and pictures
painted on the morning sky like that of the
close conjunction of Mars and Jupiter may be
admired without one superstitious fear that
the planets will meddle with terrestrial affairs.
Jupiter has given only mild proofs of his
power to disturb our planet in the month OF
June even if he possesses it. Shocks of earth
quake have been felt around the Mediterrane-
an, in Canada, and in few other places. Cy-
clones, hurricanes and furious storms have
spent their force lii the Western States. There
is no doubt that the sun is in excited state,
and that the meteorological condition OF the
earth bears witness to the fiery commotion that
agitates his surface. There is great doubt
whether the action of Jupiter and his giant
brothers combined, have power to start these
unexplained disturbances in the solar orb.
Every clear day the suns face is scanned by
observers with practiced eyes, every spot on
his disc is mapped every change recorded.
But hundreds of sun-spot cycles may pass be-
fore the mystery of their origin is detected,
aud still, it may be, that the astronomer is
born who holds the key to solve the problem.
Observation is the grand weapon in astronomi-
cal combats. Jupiter rises row about half-past
/ O'Clock; and the end of the month about forty
minutes after IL.
Saturn is morning star. The important
event in his movements during the month is
his conjunction with Mars, at o'clock on the
afternoon of the 9th, when Saturn passes one
degree and five minutes south OF Mars, the
best time for observation being the morning OF
the 7th This beautiful starry spectacle, so ap-
parently harmless and .easily explained, is, ac-
cording to tAe astroiogers, portentous OF all
manner of evils, including earthquakes, epi-
denies an war, for Saturn and Mars are the
most ill-boding of all the planets, and when
they hang side by side IN the sky there is no
end to the troubles to be anticipated. As we
have safely encountered the most fearful con-
junction of the year, that of Jupiter and Sat
urn in Taurus, in April, we have faith to be-
lieve that we shall pass unscathed through the
the planetary oFdeals of July. Saturn after
his conjunction with Mars will be the first of
the clustering quartette of morning stars to ap-
pear above the horizon. Though the small
lest of them all in apparent size, he will soon
outstrip them in telescope interest, for his
widely open rings, his approaching perihelion,
and his northern declination, will increase the
magni6cence OF his appearance, and it may be
that at opposition astronomers will Dick up an
additional ring or add new satellite to his
complex system. Saturn rises now few min
ates after o'clock; at the end OF the month
he will rise about quarter after IL O'Clock in
the evening.
Mars is morning star. His conjunction with
Saturn ON the 9Th and with Jupiter on the I'D
has already been referred to. He loses, after
the 9th his prestige as first of the morning stars
to appear above the horizon, and Saturn passes
him, and, after the 22d, Jupiter leaves him to
the rear. His northern declination is rapidly
increasing, so that at the end OF the month he
will rise slightly north of the sunrise point.
There is no need of pointing him out, for he
will be readily recognized by his ruddy hue.
Mars rises now a few minutes before o'clock;
at the end of the month few minutes before
midnight.
Venus is morning star. She reaches her
greatest elongation at o'clock on the morning
of the 18th, when she is forty-five degrees and
three-qaarters west of the sun. She then
reaches her greatest distance from the sun, and
will begin to retrace her steps, decreasing In
size and brilliancy as she travels farther from
the earth. The days of her present glory will
wane, and the proof of this will be apparent to
observers in the later hour of her rising and In
the Decreasing brilliancy of her light. She ris-
es now about 2 o'clock; at the end OF the
month about quarter before o'clock.
Neptune is morning star though invisible to
the naked eye He is near Saturn, Jupiter
and Mars during the month, and is in conjunc-
ton with Mars on the 14th, passing thirty
three minutes south of him. AT the ends of
the month there is only forty minutes differ
ence in the rising of the four planets. Saturn
is the first conner, Neptune comes next, nine
minutes later, Jupiter appears In seventeen
minutes, and Mars completes the show four
teen minutes later, the clustering planets be-
ing all above the horizon before midnight
Mercury is evening star, until he reaches in
ferior conjunction on the 18th, when he be-
comes morning star for the rest of the month.
He sets now not far from half-past o'clock;
at the end of the month he rises about quar-
ter before 4 o'clock in the morning.
Uranus is evening star and is approaching
his conjunction with the sun, but is too far
away to be of account to Observers. He sets
now not long after half past 10 o'clock in the
evening; at the end of the month quarter be-
fore o'clock.
The july moon fulls on the l1th. She reach
es her last quarter on the 18th, and on the 10th
is in conjunction with Saturn, Neptune and
Mars. On the Goth she pays her respects to
Jupiter, and on the 2lst she passes near Venus.
Thus on these mornings charming pictures OF
moonit and starlit glory will be painted on the
skies before the brightness of the dawn OBJ
scures the view The beaming planets will
seem to be clustering like golden bees, and the
waning moon softly shining high up among
the eternal stars.
july. therefore, will not fall behind the pre-
vi0us months in objects of exceeding interest
for those who follow the movements of the
planetary wanderers on the azure arch that
nightly spreads its glittering canopy over our
heads. Saturn and Jupiter will be seen to
withdraw from their close companionship, but
both planets will be in conjunction with Mars,
their quicker pace outstripping his slower
steps, Venus,will reach the end OF the train him
quicker pace outstripping his slower steps. Ve-
nus will reach the end of the chain that limits
her westward path and remaining stationary
for few days, seem almost consciously to re-
gret the resstless force that compels her to re-
trace her steps and subSide for a time into
comparative insignifcance. But planets and
their brightest phases lose their lustre and fall
into secondary Importance by the side OF the
great wonder of the skies that, on the I'D OF
June, suddenly burst forth i'll the northern
skies to the delight and astonshment of all be-
holders The great comet OF 1881 will probably
be an object of unwearying interest through
ont the month. Science has advanced with rap
id steps since a comet of equal size has visited
our domains, and il will be studied as comet
never was studied before. Scientists win leave
no stone unturned to learn It's history, whence
it came and whittier it is going, what is its pur-
pose iu the divine economy. Unseientitc OBJ
servers will, perhaps, lind greater enjoyment
in beholding the magnificent stranger as night
after night it shines Ia misty brightness and
spreads out its gossamer tail, regardless Of
the stars that come III its way. No perplexing
figures, no conflicting theories will confuse
their brains, and if anything of Importance Is
discovered. they will share in the hard labor.
Ruly, therefore, promises rich material for OBJ
| servers of the stars. A majestic comet wends
its way north at ? tremendous pace. Venus.
| Jupiter, Mars and Saturn are radiant morning
stars Could we take passage on the retreat