Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-10-07
The Planets in October.
tFrom the Providence journal. J


Mercury IS morning star throughout the
mouth, and will be visible TO the naked eye
for the last time during the year. Sharl
sighted observers may succeed i'll picking
him out for week after his greatest west
ern eIongaton, which ceased on the 9th
Star. gazers should try 10 get sight OF the
swirt-moving planet. so utterly unlike the
other PLANETS, and so brilliantly beautiful
for they behold an orb where the SUN ap-
peurs seven times as large az he does TO ter
restrial view and where the heat Is sever
Times rs great as that received on tins more
dislant planet. He must be looked Tor al
hour before sunrise, s north OF the sunrise
point and about 20' southeast oI Jupiter and
Venus. On the 9th, al ) o'clock IN the
morning, he will lie seen almost in coniunc-
ton with Uranus, though they will be sepa-
rated by eighteen hundred millions OF miles.
Jupiter is morning star, and Is consplcu-
ousIv brilliant in the eastern sky, outrank-
ing and outmeasurins his fair rival Venus.
The paths of the two planets Ii" near each
other during the whole month, and their
approach. meeting and receding form one OF
the most charming exhibitions that the
planetary brotherhood possess the power to
tcrine host bestud the sky.
As Venus recedes, Jupiter draws near,
and will soon be in the most favorable con-
dition TO reward the telescopists who make
speciality Of the study Of the Jovian disc.
Drawings of The huge planet will be made
on every favorable night, the changes i'll
form and hue that are constantly taking
place in his belts will be noted, the ghost OF
the old red spot will be carefully looked
for. and new riffs and spots will ne rs ar.
IDENTIFY welcomed as the discovery OF gold
mines op terrestrial domain.
Saturn is morning star, and as he rises
now about halfpast 9 o'clock in the even
ing, will soon be in convenient position for
observation His high nortnern decinatlon
aud increasing brightness make him prom
inent object and one easily recognized. He
has wandered away from the neighborhood
Of i:: last years companions, Aldebaran
and the Pleiades. bit has now established
himself about midway between two bright
twinklers. Capella on the north, and Betel-
ouese Oh the south, and is preparing for
brilliant career during the winter
Neptune is morning star, and is in good posi-
tion for teicscopic observation. he may be found
in the constellation Taurus about u south of the
Pleiadcs and remains nearly stationary during
the month. y GOOQ 1nSl1uhent ulEcclcu "
right point will reveal his presence in the form
al 3. small. round disc of blush tint.
Uranus is morning star He encounters Mer-
curv moving eastward towards the sun. They
arc in conjunction on the 9th but as both
planets are invisible, observers will MT be the
wiser for the meeting.
Mars is evening star, and enjoys tbc distinction
of being the only planet on the suns eastern side
his si;; companion planets being congregated Oh
the suns western side as morning stars. He may
be found in the constellation Libra carly III the
evening where he shines rs faint reddish star.
On the 10th the moon is Uranus and. the
18th near Mercury, tic day before her change
our fair satellite completes the circuit by paying
her respects to Mars on the 2lst, when three
days old.
The sun will he partially cciipsed on the 18th
the phenomenon being invisible in tho nlted
States but visible in Western Europe and Asia
| Observers who wait patiently until the year 1900
will only have TO travel as far south Virginia
| to behold the most sublime and magnificent
sight ever revealed to mortal visoa total eclipse
of the sua.