The Portland daily press., 1883-12-31
The Heavens in January,


The astronomical contributor to the Prov
idence Journal writes as follows about the
planets and the moon during the coming
month: "Jupiter is morning star until
the 10Th, and then evening star until the
7th of August. 1t is sometimes difficult to
decide which of the planets wins the place
of honor for the month. But those who
watch the movements of these shining wan
derers will agree in placing Jupiter at the
head of the list. On the 10Th he reaches
the most interesting point in his course,
for at 10 O'Clock on the evening of that dsy
he is in opposition. A straight line drawn
from Jupiter to the cum will then pass
through the earth, our little planet lying be-
tween the two monsters Of the system tt
would take more than million earths 10
to make one Jupiter. We can therefore
learn lesson of our own insignifcance
when we compare our globe with these huge
masses. At opposition, Jupiter takes on
his most brilliant aspect. Though he never
shines with the fascinating beauty that dis
tinguishes Venus at her period of greatest
brilliancy, he enjoys great advantage over
his fair competitor. As he is an outer plan
ct, he may be seen opposite the sun-rising
when the sun sets, and increasing his bright
ness agains' the backness of the midnight
sky. As Venus is an inner planet, and new
er departs much more than 45e from the
sun, she is never visible much more than
three hours after sunset, or three hours be-
fore sunrise. Jupiter rises on the Ist abou,
holf of ~ nj int tn
31st he sets at O'Clock in he morning.
Venus is evening star throughout the
month If Jupiter wins the first place. she
is entitled to the second, aud after this
month has passed her brightness will
be on the increase while her bril-
liancy will slowly fade. Travelling from
superior conjunction to eastern elongasion,
she is constantly receding from the sun in
her eastern course, and at The same time
approaching the earth. Careful observers
will easily note her increase in size and
brightness. charming aspect of Jupiter
and Venus in their present phase is that
they are above the horizon together during
the whole mouth, Jupiter rising before We
nus sets, the one reigniDg in the eastern
SKY, the other in the western. The former
rises now fifteen minutes before the latter
sets. At the end of the month Jupiter will
rise before sunset, and Venus will not set
I'LL nearly 5 O'Clock. They will, therefore,
be visible for more than two hours.
Venus sets on the 1st about half-past 6
O'Clock in the evening; on the 31st she sets
few minutes before o'clock.
Saturn, Neptune and Mercury are evening
stars, although the latter becomes morning
star after the 20 inst.
Mars and Uranus are morning stars. but
present few points of interest.
The January moon fulls on the 18th at %
minutes after 10 o'clock in the morning.
standard time On the Sth, at two minutes
after l O'Clock in the morning, the moon
makes close conjunction with Neptune.
beicg six minutes south. In some localities
on the globe the moon occults the planet.
On the 9th, at IA minutes after O'clock in
the morning, she is in conjunction with
Saturn, being one degree south. She will
occult Saturn in some localities between 25o
and IL southern decination, the only time
during the year. On the 18th she is in con-
junction with Jupiter; on the 18th with
Mars; and on the 18th with Uranus. On
the 26th, two days before her change. she is
at her nearest point TO Mercury, and on the
30ih she will be a few degrees north of We
nus, the conjunction taking place at six
Teen minutes after 4 clock in the evening