Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-03
Planets In May.
From the Providence journal.

From the Providence Journal
Mercury Is evening star after the LIST, and plays
an unusually prominent part on the planetary
annals of the month Of May. On the I'd, he
comes into superior conjunction with the sun,
when, passing to his eastern side. he COM
mences his short course a. evening star. He
then follows in the track of Venus oscillating In
q straight line east Of the sun towards his
eastern elongati0n. The swift-fOoted planet
overtakes Venus on the S0th, and the two
planets will make a charming picture at their
degree and three-quarters west northwest Of
Venus. Observers will find no difficulty In
recognizing the planets for the brilliant Venus
will be guide to point out the brother planet,
who ia difficult to find. The planets must be
looked for in the northwest. Mercury four de-
grees, and Venus three degrees north OF the sum
set point. both planets being about twenty
degrees east Of the sun. AS they are above the
horizon an hour and a half later than the sun,
there is every reason to anticipate q rarely
beautiful conjunction. Mercury on the 18th Is
In conjunction with Jupiter about two degrees
north. Jupiter will then be plainly visible, and
Mercury far enough from the sun to be possibly
picked up by bright-eyed observers as the
planets do not set till after o'clock. The most
favorable time in all the year for seeing Mer.
curry as evening star with the unaided eye COM
mences about the middle of the month and con-
tinues through the first part Of June. Any
pains-taking observer will be sure to find him
east Of the sun, and about three degrees north
OF the sunset point
Saturn is evening star until the 9Th. On the
9th, at 5 o'clock in the morning, he IL In con-
junction with the sun, rising and setting with
him and completely hidden from sight In his
bright beams. The earth, the sun, and Saturn
are then In . straight line, with the sun In the
center. Saturn IL at his greatest distance from
the earth, being more than ten hundred million
miles away, instead Of about eight hundred and
thirty million miles, his distance at opposition.
Conjunction finishes Saturn's course az evening
rise earlier and grow brighter as he recedes from
the sun and approaches the earth, until In the
summer months he win appear before the dawn.
Every one should follow his course. as he viii
present Q noteworthy aspect for careful study.
while he travels from conjunction to opposition.
His approaching periheliOn. his widely opening
rings, and his great northern declnation will
make him appear larger and brighter than he
has done for nearly thirty years. An interesting
planetary event Of the month Is that Saturn and
Neptune reach conjunction on the same day, the
former at o'clock in the morning and the latter
at o'clock In the afternoon. Another event.
In which the same planets are actors, occure at
o'clock on the morning Of the 18th. Saturn
and Neptune are then In close conjunction,
Saturn being twenty-five minutes south.
Neptune Is evening star until the 9Th and then
morning star for the rest Of the month. He h
afternoon Of the 9Th, when In his turn he comes
IN to line With thesun and the earth, the suu being
In the conter. His dlstanoe then from rs Is more
than twenty-eight hnnArod wlllion mJles neNres
thnt e. 49, Doueu 60 fND nefae conccp-