The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-12-20
THE SKY ABOVE.
The December Moon and the Itinerancy
of the Celestial Bodies.

The science OF astronomy is keeping
pace with other sciences, and every month
the observations of those who are devot-
ing their lives to unraveling the mysteries
of the armament are given to the people
through the medium of the newspapers,
making those vehicles of thought still
more valuable. BY this means it will not
be long, in these modern days, when the
common people will be almost as well
posted upon matters celestial and ter
restial as the scientists themselves, be
cause, as benefactors, the Swans impart
the practical results of their observations
and deductions to the people.
The December moon fulled Monday.
1t was in conjunction with Venus on the
goth ultimo. That was the first of a
series of views in which during the winter
we shall enjoy some Of the most charming
pictures ever painted on celestial canvas.
On the 18th, the moon paid her respects
to Neptune, and on the 18th
she made a close conjunction with
Saturn. On the 10th she is
at her nearest point to Jupiter; on the
18th to Mars; on the 21st to Uranus, and
on the 31st to Mercury, when she will
have made the circuit Of the planets and
swings round for the second time to the
near neighborhood of Venus. The con
junction takes place at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, but star and crescent will make
lovely picture in the early evening sky
The moon sets on that evening about two
hours and half, and Venus two hours
after the sun, and the charming exhibition
of celestial glory can be seen in the east.
Uranus is o morning star, and holds the
place of honor On the planetary record of
December, for he is the only planet whose
progress on the celestial track is diversi-
fed by noteworthy incident. On the
Goth, at o'clock in the afternoon, he is in
quadrsture with the sun, having accom-
plished half his journey from conjunction
to opposition. Uranus has of late been
in an exceptionally favorable situation for
observations concerning his disk and fig
ure The last time he was in an equally
favorably position was in the year 1S4G
and 1868.
Jupiter is the morning STAR the present
being the last month in which he will play
this part for some time to come. He will
be the most superb object in the heavens
on moonless nights throughout the month
| appearing now above the horizon at hall
past s o'clock, and rising earlier every
night, until at the close of the month hi:
| shining face looms above the eastern hill!
at half past o'clock. 1t seems anoma-
lous to call a planet that rises so early il
the evening morning star, but astroao.
mers class the outer planets as morning
stars from conjunction to opposition
without regard to the time of rising.
Neptune is the evening star. HI
| threads his course over the starry concavt
with snail like pace, and is above the hor
lion nearly the entire night. AS he car
not be seen he is of little account to the
ordinary observer.
| Venus is evening star, and will soon pu
on glorious apparel, Before the month
closes there will be no difficulty in finding
the fairest of the stars in the western sky
She will set few minutes after Jupite
rises, a charming sight for observers VIII
can command clear view of the eastern
and western horizons.
Mercury is evening star, and is swift,
making his way from superior conjunction
to eastern elongation.
Mars is morning star He may be readil!
recognized by his proximity to Jupiter
being a short distance southeast of his fa1
more brilliant rival
Saturn is evening star. He has com
menced his travel toward the sun from
the earth. He is therefore receding from
US and growing less bright than when il
opposition. But the diminution is MOI
yet perceptible. As soon as darkness!
covers the earth, he takes his place anon!
the stars, slowly receding from the neigh
borhood of the gentle Pleiades and rudd,
Aldebaran as he makes his way over thu
celestial track