The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-08
PLANETS IN JUNE.
providence Journal

BILE after sunset during the month, ana Is IN
one Of the most favorable positions for OBJ
servation that occurs during the year. On
the 18th he reaches bis greatest eastern
elongation, or most distant point from the
sun, aud for ten days before and after that
time, il the atmosphere is clear and the sky
cloudless, be may be easily found. Mercu-
rvs elongation from the sun never exceeds
a little more than twenty-seven degrees.
On the 18Th. it will be a little more than
TWENTY-FIVE degrees, nearly the maximum
be is also nearly at bis greatest northern
declination, both conditions being favorable
for observation. At the elOngatiOn, he is
above the horizon until about eleven
minutes after O'Clock, little more than an
hour and half after sunset. Observers
should note carefully the point OF sunset,
for Mercury sets not far from one degree
south Of il. 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 a brilllaucy almost un-
equaled by any other star. Unlike the
lother planets. he is a great twinker, and
appears to an imaginative observer as II he
were almost blinded by the intensity Of the
suns rays. When the planet has once been
discovered be becomes perfectly distinct 10
1.-The view, and the observer Is surprised that
liz is so difficult to detect his presence with
the uudirected eye. He will be a beautiful
oil ject ia the June twilight, and the most
favorable time TO watch for him will be a
few days before the eongalion, for he is
then at his point OF greatest brightness.
No one who once picks up this brilliant
little planet will think any amount OF pains
taking too great to secure the sight, While
rbe delightful season OF the year for out
door observation, and the absence OF other
planets from the evening shy, will make the
view specially attractive. Mercury is pass
ing cow from his superior conjunction,
which occurred on the 17lh OF May, to his
inferior conjunction, which VIII occur OH
the 18th of July. He sets now about
Twenty minutes before 9 O'Clock; ut the
close OF the month, Few minutes DeiOTe
O'Clock.
URANUS is evening star. but too far away
10 be visible TO the naked eye. He Is
travelling toward the sun, and reaches his
conjunction with the sun in September.
He sets now about half an hour after mid.
night: at the end OF the month about
quarter before ii O'Clock.
| VENUS is morning star, and plays bril-
liant l0le throughout The month, the iairest
and brightest of the grand planetary quar-
tette that graces the morning dawn and her,
aids the coming OF the great luminary from
whom the planets borrow the power 10
illuminate the morning ky until lis bril-
liant beams put out their more feeble light.
Venus. il will be remembered, was in in
ierior conjunction with the sun on the Sd OF
Nav, passing between him and the earth,
and reappearing on his western side as
morning star. She has advanced far enough
on her western track, TO be superb
object before the breaking OF The dawn,
rising now about ten minutes before 3
O'Clock and fastening with rapid steps to-
wards Saturn and Jupiter, who nave scarce
ly raised their heads above the horizon be-
fore she appears upon its verge in ber most
fascinating phase. On the 9Th she over
takes slow plOdding Saturn, aud passes 80
near him that there are only eleven minutes
of a degree between them. On the 9th she
reaches her second point of greatest bril-
liancy. having passed her first thirtyslX
davs before inferior conjunction. She Il
then the lovelieSt star I'm the heavens, bright
enough 10 be readily seen after sunrise, and
the objects ilumined by her rays cast per-
ceDtible shadows. On the l9;h she pays
her court TO Jupiter, passing two degrees
and a quarter 10 the south. On the 10 h
the ficke Queen also pays her court 10
Neptune. passing one degree ana hall
north of bin, thus coming into conjunction
with three Of the great members OF the
system in the space of two weeks. Seen
Through the telescope, she presents the ap-
nearance OF slender crescent, like the
moon when few DAYS old, about One-fOurth
Of her disc being illumined, and her dis
tance from the sun being not far from forty
degrees. Venus rises now shortly before
2 o'clock: at the close OF the month at
O'Clock.
JUPITER is morning star ana ranks second
in brightness in the grand planetary exhibit
ton that makes illuslrlOus the annals Of
June, 1881. He is approaching the earth,
and before the end OF the month will shine
i'm increased size and brightness. on tue
18Th, 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
thew all rise within twenty-four minutes.
Venus appears first, followed in order by
Saturn. Jupiter and Neptune, the latest
conner being invisible,
The theory of planetary action as a mo-
five power in producing solar disturbances
has, for the first time since Jupiter's peri
helion. found little 10 substantiate its claims
| 10 notice. The earth has moved on IN its
course, in spite OF the sun spots, with
| scarcely any phenomena out OF the ordinary
expeIience 10 record on its latest monthly
annals. Slight shocks OF earthquake have
been felt in New Hampshire and Illinois,
ana slight renewals in European localities
Of preyious heavier visitations OF this de-
strncliye agent give proof OF continued
meteorological disturbance, and are TO be
carefully noted by those who watch the
times and the seasons and seek 10 md out
what mortals may learn OF the laws that
govern them. Jupiter Iisss now a rev
minutes after O'Clock; at the END OF the
month little before half-past O'Clock.
SATURN is morning star, and the space Is
gradually widening that separates him from
his more brilliant brother Jupiter. his
elose conjunction with Venus on the OH
has already been referred 10, and there Is
lltile else 10 note in his movements for the
month excepting his approach TO the earth,
whieb Is also the advancing step toward an
unusually brilliant opposition with the sun
next November, when his widely'opening
rings. high northern declinsiion and APP
nrosch 10 periheIlon will make him an OBJ
iect OF exceeding interest. He rises now al
about four minutes before 3 o'clock; at the |
end OF the month few minutes after
O'Clock.
MARS is morning star, and Will soon be-
come an object Of interest as bis path
1.ay.s ,,asr that M Iu,,iter and Saturn. and (