Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-10

A 0uartette of BrIlliants-Interest-
ing 90 Star Gaxers.

Mercury Is evening star and wins the
place of honor, as he is the only planet
visible after sunset during the month, and
is one of the most favorable positions for
observation that occurs during the year.
On the 10Th he reaches his greatest eastern
elongation, or most distant point from the
sun, and for ten DAYS before and after that
time, If the atmosphere is clear and the sky
cloudless, he may be easily found. Observ-
ers should note carefully the point of sun
set, for Mercury sets not far from one de-
gree south of it. Three-quarters Of an hour
after sunset is the best time to look, for the
long twilight will prevent his being seen
much earlier. He will then be about twelve
degrees above the horizon, shining with an
intense white light sometimes tinged with
yellow, and with brillianey almost IN
equalled by any other star.
Uranus Is evening star, but too far away
to be visible to the naked eye.
Venus is morning star, and plays bril-
liant role throughout the month, the fairest
and brightest of the grand planetary quar-
tette that graees the morning dawn and
heralds the coming of the great luminarY.
Jupiter is morning star and ranks second
in brightness In the grand planetary exhibit
ton that makes illustrfous the annals OF
June, 1881. He is approaching the earth,
and before the end of the month will shine
In increased size and brightness. On the
10Th. four hours before his conjunction
with Venus, he passes very near Neptune,
being only forty-four minutes of degree
north. 1t is rare for four planets to be so
near together. On the first of the month
they all rise within twenty-four minutes.
Venus appears first, followed in order by
Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune, the latest
conner being invisible.
Saturn is morning star and the space is
gradually widening that separates him from
his more brilliant brother Jupiter.
Mars is morning star, and will soon be-
come an object of interest as his path draws
near that of Jupiter and Saturn.
Neptune is morning star, and, though In
visible to the naked eye, is worthy OF notice
from being so near Jupiter, Saturn and
Venus on the same day, with only an in
terval of six hours between the two conjunc-
tions, while Jupiter and Venus meet and
pass during the interval.
The June moon fills on the 18th, and
gives us the rare treat of total lunar
eclipse. No celestial phenomena is easier
to understand. The earth passes between
the sun and the moon and obscures his
light.
On the morning of the 18th the condi-
lions are favorable for grand exhibition OF
the darkening power Of the earth's shadow.
The moon Is full, she is at her node, she is
In perigee, or at her nearest point to the
earth, and she will pass centrally through
the earth's shadow. The eclipse begins,
that is the dark shadow enters upon the
moon, at Oh. 26m., or 26m. after midnight.
The total phase commences at In. 29m.,
and ends at 2h. sim. The eclipse ends at
3h. 52m. On the 21st the moon is in con-
junction with Mars and Saturn. Ga the
morning of the 22d the heavens will present
a superb picture, made up OF the waning
moon, the bright planets, Venus and Jupt-
ter. Between five o'clock on the morning
of the 21st and two O'Clock in the afternoon
of the 22d the moon is in conjunction with
five planets, Mars, Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter
and Venus.
1t will readily be seen that June Is full OF
promise for star gazers. The planets that
cluster around the setting sun, and more re-
Gently lowered closely around the rising sun,
are now receding from him and forming
combinations of exquisite beauty. The
lovely summer morning sky beams with the
rapid movements of these shining wander
ers. Saturn and Jupiter are bidding fare
well to each other for twenty years, as the
distance on the celestial track widens be-
tween them. Venus passes them both In
her rapid course, their varied movements
causing two brilliant conjunctions. The
three planets are drawing near to Mars, and
before the month closes, the planetary
quartette will rise in the small hours that
precede the dawn, and the observer who
would see the commencement of the show
must be at his post by l o'clock.-PrOvi
dence Journal.