Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1882-02-16

We look at them from the moving observa-
tory, the earth. Both planets are, however,
too near the sun, to allow the conjunction
to be seen. Mercury sets now about half
past 8 o'clock. an hour and quarter after
the sun, long enough to become visible to
keen-eyed observers. who should now begin
the search for the swift-footed planet. AT
the end of the month, he rises few min
utes before 8 O'Clock in the morning.
Saturn is evening star, and may be num-
bered among the blessings that brighten u.
they take their fight. For when midnight
comes, he disappears below the horizon, and
when the month closes he is missing among
the stars nearly two hours earlier. There
is nothing noteworthy in his movements
during the month. He still retains his po-
sition as leader Of the four planets that are
travelling towards conjunction with the sun,
and he will be the first to reach the goal.
Saturn sets now few minutes after mid
night; at the end Of the month he sets
about half-past 10 o'clock in the evening.
Neptune is evening star, and follows Sat
urns lead, making his transit or passing
the meridian a half-hour later. He comes
into quadrature with the sun at O'Clock
on the afternoon Of the ID. being then
between opposition and conjunction. He
therefore rises about midday, comes 10 the
meridian shout O'Clock, and sets shout
midnight, being eight days behind Saturn
in reaching this point Of his course. Nep-
tune set, now rot far from o'clock in the
morning at the end Of the month he sets
a few minutes after IL O'Clock in the even
ing.
Jupiter is evening star. and still keeps
close To Neptune in his course. reaching
the meridian now at eleven minutes after s
O'Clock in the evening. only twelve minutes
behind his brother planet. Jupiter reaches
his quadra,ure al O'Clock on the morning
of the 9th. On the evening Of that day,
at O'Clock. the prince Of planets may be
seen shining serenely from his proud posi-
ton on the meridian, the leader Of the starry
host, the peerless star among the glitterlng
ranks, while rudy Mar, in the northeast.
and glowing Siriu. in the southeast, almost
dispute his preeminence. Jupiter sets now
a few minutes after | o'clock in the morn
ing; al the end of the month he sets not
far from half-pa.t II O'Clock IN the evening.
Mars is evening star, and beautiful to see
as with ruddy hue he tracks his wandering
way among the stars. lie IS travelling
avay from the earth, and there 10 already a
pcTcrpuble dImlnutIon ~ his brightness.
His disc now measure, but thirteen second.
of degree in diamrter, while at opposition
IN December II measured nearly seventeen
seconds. Mars at his recent opposition sa-
not of much account, A. far astronomical
research VAS concerned. His moons were
seen in some Of the large telescopes but
nothing new was added to our knowledge OF
the Marian globe. We must wait till lSYl
for an opposition under the most favorable
conditions. Meantime, Mars pursues hi'
va, toward conjunction, Tagging behind has
+ three brother planets. but like them obeyIng
the law. that rule their movements, each
and all fulfilling their parts in producing
the heavenly harmony that binds together
the sun and his family OF worlds. Mar.
nov sets abou, quarter before 3 O'Clock IN
the morning at the close Of the month he
set. about 3 O'Clock.
Uranu.is morning star, the sole pIanet en-
joyIng the distinction throughout tine month
lie rises nov few minutes after 5 O'Clock
in the evening al the end of the month he
rises soon after o'clock.
The February moon full. on the 3D. The
new moon OF the l7th is in conjunction
( with Mercury on the lNth, with SAtLrn on
the 22d, with Neptune and Jupiter on the
23d and with Mars on the 10th. The moon
does not pass very near any OF the planets
4 She comes nearest To Jupiter about 10
O'Clock on the evening Of the 23d, passing 4
little more than two degrees north Of him.
Thus the shortest month Of the year in
PRODUCES the most important actor in the
starry scenes that will diversity its course
Venus at superior conjunction will pass
from the western 10 the eastern side OF the
sun and commence the brilliant course as
/ evening star that will close with the grand
act OF the transit. Mercury will be seen
between the l.t and the 10Th in the evening
twilight, white star with a rosy tint, re-
sembling Sirius, though smaller and less
brilliant. and the only twinker among the
planets. Mercury and Venus will seem to
be close together, though in reality Nens.
ha. just made her appearance on the eastern
side Of the sun, having passed outside OF
him, and Mercury is just ready to pass 10
the west of the sun on his inner side. Nep-
tune and Jupiter reach their quadrature, and
Saturn. Jupiter and Mars, still continue to
be objects Of special interest, as advancing,
retrogradlng or stationary they wend their
way among the shining throng.