The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-08-03
AsTRONOnICAL NOTES.
Planets in August

This is generally the most unf:.vorablc month OF
the year, for astronomers. However, nothing of
much interest occurs in the August shy. Probably
IA comet may pnt in appearance, tn make up for
dull times. Most of the planets situated
that only the early riser may them.
MERCURY
il in pcrhelion. the 3D. Ten days later. he is in
conjunction with the sun, passing behind him. lie
is in conjunction with the moon, the day
Mercury is close to Uranus, the 18th. liz will
not be noticed this month.
VENUS
and Mars ART in conjunction at fifteen minutes to T.
n. M, ON the 2d Venus will be 3 50" north of Mars
Though this conjunction about midday, II
may be seen. If n little trouble be taken search
for the planets. At that hour, Venus will be %
cast and 10 south Of the At 2;3J they will he
the meridian, and will be EASILY found
Venus he with the unaided eve. but Mars
will be only with opera glass II telescope
Those two planets the carth's closest neshbors
and also, are about its size. On the ai Uranus will
be about q west of Mars. An observer with pow
erful telescope, situated ON Uranns, would, at that
date, Venus, Mars and the earth all hudlled to
gcther, occupying u space equal to about one hulf
that occupied by satellite The naked eye Oh.
server of Urnnus would fail to sec the planets at all
Venus is 8 4S % north of the moon, obs, p. m
the Eth. This conjunction the meridi-
an. Venus will be eight diametcrs OF the moon
north
disc how measures only "a" N diameter; therefore,
he shines very family After this month"; he will be
too close to the to be seen again, this year.
When next seen, he will be morning star. Mars is
s. 4 Sc" north of the moon, tho 10th. On the
l5th he is only Oh. Ism. behind the sum- but his
southern dcclination is greater, he sets not long
after the sun.
JUFIrER
rises little over four hours before The sum- on the
18th. His disc is increasing in size, measuring
32.i" in diameter. He is n superb object in the
morning sky. power Of thirty five will show him
as very small full moon; also, his four satellites,
which circle around him, aud look like that number
of golden beads. lie Is close enough now for tho
change of position of his attendants be seen with
case and interest. lead pencil, held two feet from
the eye, hides the whole form Of Jupter-an cnor-
nous body having diameter Of 90,OO0O eco milcs!
The passes + so 81" south of Jupiter, at Il:s
p. H. the 7th They will be little farther apart,
at halfpast three, when they rise.
SATURN
is that yellow star which appears above the eastern
horizon, n little after midnight lie il coming clos
or, and already his wonderful rings may be scen
with little telcsooPie aid. Everybody knows the
Pleadcs. The observer will find Saturn TO- south
Astronomers who have Telescopes with object glass
es large enough for n window toll Saturn is the
most beautiful object in the heavens. 4 telescope
Of twoinch aperture will show Of The beauties
Of that world. At Bis, p. m the 5th, Saturn is
3 IS IS" south of the moon. On the the 18th, he
reaches quadraturc, being then 90 distant from the
sun; he rises then ut midnight.
TIE MOON
IA the I3th-fnll on the 18th. Everybody
should know and he able to point out the twelve
signs Of the Zodiac. Below they given in order
NJ the enters them: Moon in Pisces. 4th;
Aries, 9Th; Taurus, Sth Gemini 10th; Cancer, 18th,
Leo, 18th; Virgo, 18th; Libra, sOth; ScOrpio, sd;
18th Capricornius, 9th; Aquarius 2d
The moon is closest to the earth on the 18th.
PIG