The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-08-02
AUGUST N i

And the Planets "A Few Pointers for
Us Star GaEers and Shy, Observers. y -
b The, month OF August has arrived and pro.
vided the! skies are not INSTRUCTED with
clouds at night II will be q month OF rare
enjoyment to star gszers With summers
last month always comes a grand display OF
heavenly beauties aud sights in which all the
planets play more or less prominent part
To describe In detail what positions they
will take during the month would consume
more sDace than we have nj our command at
this time, and that 10 reserved for future
article. What We propose having reference
take place OF the August ine,eors. Before 50
doing, however, II might be we'll
to briefly refer to the planets. = 1ls.tl 4.
Venus takes the lead In the evening sly,
and Is first on the programme In her brilliant
injunction with Mars. Jupiter takes the
lead In the morning sky, holding his court
surrounded by brilliants OF the first order.
An exhibition OF special interest may be OK.
pected on the morning Of the 9th, when the
waning crescent Of the old moon pays her re.
spects TO the king Of the stars. Evening and
morning stars are equally balanced during
the month, Venus, Mars, and Uranus honor.
Ing the evening sky, Jupiter, Saturn, and
Neptune grCclng the morning sky, and Mer.
curry dividing the honor, being halt the time
morning star md half the time evenings star.
The full moon OF the 18th will flood with
silver light the serene nights Of the last week
OF summer.
The August mcteors will give variety to
the monthly programme as they fall with
their fiery trains. On the nights of the 9th,
| 10th md 18th display of celestial fireworks
may be looked for. The earth then plunges
through the domain Of the cratic member OF
the system, known as the August meteor
zone. This z0ne Is d gigantic ellipse or hoop
whose perihellon Is within the enrth's orbit,
aud w0se npheliOn reaches beyond the
orbit Of Neptune. II Is mysteriously
associated, as SCinaparclli discovered, with
the second comet Of 1862, or has been grad.
ually formed from its substance The me.
teors nrc distributed through every portion
OF the ring. though somewhat uneluully.
Every year, therefore, when the earth crosses
the zone, about the tenth OF August, there
Is shower OF meteors more or less abund.
ant, according to the density Of the cosnlical
cloud. The meteors shoot from the constel.
lation pcrselis. which Is for this reason called
the radiant point, mud the meteors ure called
Perseides. Sometimes the showers are very
brill liant, almost riyalling the famous No.
ven,ber ones. Al ordinary times an observer
may be reasonably sure OF seeing
several hundreds on the nights mem
toned. These meteors ARE distin.
guished from those belonging to other
meteor systems by their yellow color, and
they leave behind them trails OF luminous
yapOr that often last several seconds. Poetry
and superstition have given to the August
meteors the name Of the fiery tears OF 81.
Lawrence, BECAUSE they occur on the ami.
yersary OF the day maize memorable by the
martyrdom OF the famous saint. The con.
stellation perseus rises lute in the evening
in the northeast, and may be known by u
senli-circle ofstars forming the sword OF The
hero. Observers on tho nights mentioned
will be sure TO sec moderate display al
neteors They may be rewarded for their
pains by the sight Of q golden shower OF un.
usual abundance and beauty.
Star.gazers In August will, therefore, find
material for great enjoyment. as they lool;
upward on starlit nights to the grand coli.
cave stretching over onr heads, studded Will,
points Of shining light, which will furnish
studies OF fresh Interest 10 tho lover OF the
stars, and illustrate the harmony, symmetry
and obedience to law that prevail In the my.
Rad worlds that people the boundless depths
OF space.