The Portland daily press., 1882-07-04


lar fraternity, contributing the largest share TO
the celestial phenomena OF the month On the
14th she is in conjunction with Alpha LeoHis
or Regulus, the bright star In the handle OF the
Sickle, close to the ecliptc or suns path, that
often comes in the way of the planets. 1t was
the same star that was still nearer Mars during
the last month. Venus passes little more
than one degree north OF Regulus. No direc-
tions will be needed for observing the con-
junction. fbe queen OF the stars Will be rec
ognized at a glance and Alpha Leonls Will De
seen shining about degree-twice the diam
eter of the moen-to the south. Planet and
star reach their nearest approach at o'clock
in the afternoon, but they will be near enough
in the evenitg to make interesting objects for
observation. On the 30th, Venus is in CON
junction with Uranus, passing only seventeen
minutes TO the north. The conjunction is close
one, but as Uranus is invisible and too near
the sun for a favorable view in the telescope,
the scene when planet meets planet on the ce-
lestia road must be viewed with the mental
eye 1t is none the less certain that the un-
seen Uranus is pursuing his slow course than
it is that the brilliant Venus will meet and
pass him on her swifter path.
The attention OF the whole scientific world
is more closely concentrated ON this beautiful
planet as the time of her transit draws nearer
More than forty expeditions in the eastern
hemisphere are already in preparation for OBJ
serving the great event of the year. The eight
French parties start this month for the stations
they have chosen in the western world, four in
north latitude, and four in south latitude.
After their arrival at their different destina-
tions they will spend the intervening time un-
til December in diligent preparation for their
intricate and important work. Two German
expeditions are nearly ready for departure on
the same erraDd. AT almost every observa-
tory in the United States, arrangements are
being made for a combined attack on the plan
ct that in full daylight passes over the suns
face. Astronomers are willing TO take this
labor and trouble in the hope of determining
by means of the transit the suns distance from
the earth with an accuracy that may not hence-
forth be questioned. Observers in New Eng
land have reason to be satisfied with their IA
vorable locality for observing the rare phenom-
enon, for it is visible from commencement to
close The season of the year is the only draw
back The chances are only one in two or
fifty per cent. that the December sky on the
9th will be without clouds on the grand occa-
sion. We must hope for the BEST enjoy the
opportunity, if the sky be clear, and bear the
disappointment philosophically if the sky be
overcast. Few persons comparatively will OBJ
serve the event with scientific accuracy, but
all who can command the use of a telescope
should be sure to obtain glimpse of the bright
est of the suns family in view, as she pass
es over the face of the great luminary
Venus sets on the 1st of the month about
half past O'Clock in the evening; on the 31st
she sets about o'clock.
Mars is evening star during the month, but
his present insignificant appearance poorly
substantiates his claim to the title of the god of
war. The year 1892 must roll round before he
takes on the warlike attitude and fiery hue
that entitle him to this distinction. There is
but one event to notice in his course, his con-
junction with Uranus on the 9th, at O'Clock
in the morning, when he passes only six min
utes north of his brother planet This con-
junction, like that of Venus with the same
planet, is only visible to the eye of imagin-
atio ali xTiI1 bom
show great contrast in the delicate sea-green
tint of Uranus and the ruddy hue of Mars, as
they hang side by side in the sky seemingly
so near, in reality SO far apart
Mars is now brought prominently into notice
| on account of some remarkable markings OBJ
served on his disc by Professor Schiaparelli, OF
| the Milan observatory during the opposition of
1079-S0. These markings took on the form OF
canals, and were extensively distributed over
| the Marian surface. The same observer made
still more marvellous discoveries soon after the
late opposition in 1SS1-S2. He detected du-
| plication of the so-called canals in about
| twenty instances, the collateral lines actually
unfolding themselves progressively before his
| eyes, and thus doubling the canals The long,
narrow streaks or markings have been detect
ed by other observers, but their duplication by
similar and parallel lines is something entirely
new. Schiaparelli is one of the most accurate
observers of the age and not likely to be mis-
| taken in his observations. The next opposi-
tion of Mars early in 1884 will find astronomers
on the watch to seek for confirmation of these
strange appearances. Results may then be
reached that will greatly modify our views
concerning the physical condition of planet
| more essentially interesting to terrestrial OBJ
| servers than any other member of the system
Mars sets now about seventeen minutes after
10 o'clock in the evening; at the end of the
| month he sets at o'clock.
| Uranus is evening star. We have already
| described the two events in his monthly prog
| ress, the conjunction with Mars on the 9th
| the planets being six minutes apart and the
| conjunction with Venus ON the 30th, the plan.
| cts being seventeen minutes apart. The three
| planets, Venus, Mars and Uranus, are very
| near each other during the last week of the
month, Mars first passing Uranus, and Venus
| following suit three days after. On the 9th
| their right ascension, corresponding to terres
| trial longitude, differs only few minutes
| The right ascension of Mars is 11h. 10m.; IRA
| nus, 11h. 10m, and Venus, 10h. 58m.
| Uranus sets the first of the month about Il
| o'clock in the evening; at the close of the
THE MOON.
July records the advent of two full moons
| the sole month in the year honored with thai
again on the Both. On the 10th the waning
| moon passes near Neptune and Saturn. Or
| the 18th she forms with Jupiter a lovely pic
| ture, waning crescent and brilliant planet be-
| ing only degree and a quarter apart. On the
18th the three days old moon is near Venus
| and on the 18th near Mars and Uranus
| The moon just now is an important member OF
| the solar family. Something new may be an
| ticipated in her monotonouS story. The observ.
| ers of the recent solar eclipse detected intima
| tions OF an atmosphere on her apparently life
| less surface. This seems to confirm indications
| of movement that have never been accounted
| for,and scarcely credited in scientific quarters.
| Two days after the eclipse, an observer of 40
| wears experience, while looking at the moon,
| saw cloud 100 miles long and 40 or 30 broad
lowering over the "Mare Crisium," present
| ing misty, feathery appearance, unmistaka-
| bly, different from other portions of the moons
| disc. Ii this appearance was reality and not
an optical illusion other observers will be sure
| to detect something similar
Thus July furnishes abundant material for
| astronomical study and enjoyment. Two full
moons will lend their silvery light to add beau
| ty to the summer evenings. The four morning
stars, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury,
| will sing together as they move in rythmical
harmony around the central source of life
and light. The three evening stars, Venus,
Mars and Uranus, hanging close together will
fulfil their course, the peerless Venus reigniDg
supreme over her brother planets and the
grand concourse of attendant stars. Tho
never-failing variety that characterizes the
study of astronomy finds ample illustration in
three suggestive topics that demand the close
attention of the student of the stars. Tho COM
ing transit of Venus ranks first in importance
as the busy notes Of preparation are re-echoed
from every part of the civilized world, and the
enthusiasm increases as the grand event draws
near. The Martian markings, and the more
recent observation of the duplication of the
so-called canals by progressive lines, as seen by
the keen-eyed Schiaparelli, under the serene
sky of Milan, form a theme for study of fabul-
GUS interest In the third place the moon
comes in for her share in the novel celestial
problems that are the delight of the
scientific mind. Indications of an atmosphere
observed by the French astronomers, and a
misty, feathery cloud floating over one of her
huge craters, revive the interest in her DESC
late face, and suggest the possibility that life
may exist in some form in a world that seems
to have played her part in the material econo-
my of the universe.
A Certificate Of Character for Bos-