The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-01
PLANETS IN JUNE
rKEESC0PIC READIN0S.
ne msso ssa sAe ssass. 1heif msvensnss
ana psaasssns-A Lessen IN Asersnsny.

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- No.. ssa sAe ssass, Thsir sasvenssss
sns Pssas3sns-A Lessen n Assrsnsny.
(Providsace JcurnAli
sxsvRN h evening star until the "a, and
vim the nrst rank, n we classify the plan
Gu according to their apparent nearness 70
the sun, He Is too near the great central
orb TO be visibIe to mortal eye, but ne y Sill
thefe Ill the same, and we are ~ certain OF
the fact a n we could see him pictured On
thc skv with his retinue OF rings and
uooons. On the Sd, at 4 o'clock In the al
ternoon. saturn Is in conjunction with the
ann. Following Neptune's example, he
deserts the band Of evening stars, and, pass
ms beyoud the sun rekppears on his west
syn side ss morning star. He will be
greatly missed on starlit evenings, for he
S,s been beautiful object In the heavens
tarough the winter and spring. He may
,,e equally beautiful IN the morning sky a
few months hence, but 1t is FAR more con-
yen,ens 70 observe and admire the evening
STARS than II IL to rise In the small hours to
admire the morning stars.
saturn's coming circuit around the sun
will be even more interesting than the one
now completed, for he will be nearly at
perihellon when IL closes. His next con-
junction occurs in June, 1886. and his peri
belion In October Of the same year, when
he will be one hundred million miles nearer
the sun than at aphelion. His high north
ern declination will continue during the
coming year, and his rings will be open to
their widest extent. For two or three
wears Saturn will take on his most propi-
lions aspect, and then he will make his
long voyage OF nearly thirty years around
the sun before the conditions are repeated.
Observers will find, under present condi-
fions. tie most favorable opportunity OF
studvipQ this magnificent and complex
systcn. Astronomers will use their ut
most endeayors to determine what the
rings are made OF, and to discover new
satellites. Mr.. Lockyer has recently made
pome interesting and satisfactory studies Of
the caturnian rings, which will probably
soon be made public.
II human beings when they depart hence
IN be seen no more in this world were per-
mitted 10 choose another planet for an
abode, there would be a great emigration
TO the shores Of the planet whose beauty.
as seen from the earth. surpasses that OF
apy other member OF the system, whose
sky is spanned by a golden arch and
adorned and illumined by eight moons,
taking on all manner OF phases.
The right ascension Of Saturn on the LIST
is All. 4Sm., his declination is 30 north,
and his diameter is 1915.
Saturn sets on the LIST at n O'Clock In the
evening; on the Goth he rises about 3
O'Clock in the morning.
VENUS Is evening star throughout the
month, and takes the second place, until
the Sd, In proximity to the sun. She also
takes on her most charming appearance
during the passage OF the loveliest month
of the year. On the Sd, at MONDAY, she
reaches her period Of greatest brilliancy,
and shines respondent among the stars,
their acknowledged queen. Her present
high northern declnation makes her an
unusually conspicuous object. She may
easily be found at MONDAY, II her posi-
ton is known. A careful observation will
then bring her out as an intense white
point In the sky. Her light, also, is very
brilliant, and objects Illuminated by her
rays will cast perceptible shadows.
Her period Of greatest brilliancy as eve
ming star occurs thirty-six days before her
inferior conjunction, and Is explained in
this way. The variations in her aspects
and apparent magnitude are very great.
At superior conjunction, or when beyond
the sun, she Is 160,000,000 miles distant
from us and presents the appearance OF a
small round disc 10" In diameter. At in
ferior conjunction, when nearest the earth,
she Is 100000 miles distant, and il her
fllumined face were visible she would be
more than COZ in diameter. Between these
two points she passes through the various
phases presented by the moon from full to
new moon, approaching the earth and in
creasing in size all the time. The nearer
she comes the less Of her ilumined disc is
turned toward us, but her increased size
more than compensates for her lessened
light, aud her brilliancy steadily increases.
When she Is within 400 OF the sun, and
the enlightened part Of her disc is about
one quarter Of the whole, her eliminating
point is reached, and she reioices in her
period OF greatest brilliancy. This Is the
case on the Sd. After that time, though
increasing In size as she approaches the
earth, the gain in dimensions does not
compensate for the lessened light, and the
lustre OF the fair planet grows dim. These
changes In the appearance OF Venus may
be watched and verified by interested OBJ
servers, who will find the result more
tangible than Is the case in many astro-
nomical observations that are less evident
nd more minute.
Venus is now o superb object in the tel
Escape where she takes on the form OF
waning crescent, appearing in good
telescope as large as the moon. 1t is bet
ter to observe her in the daytime, for her
light, unpleasantly dazzling on dark
sky, Ia s0ftened by day into pearly hue
n shal. 10 hhCnn nr1 QhN1I
improve the present opportunity for q
for her high northern declination and her
period Of greatest brilliancy are not always
Q oincident.
Is 7h. 3Sm., her deciination Is $40 o. north,
and her diameter Is 35".
Venus sets on the LIST about half-past 10
O'Clock in the evening; on the both she
sets about half past O'Clock.
JUPITER Is evening star, and the third in
rank in nearness to the sun. Though he
8 travelling rapidly away from the earth,
ii has little effect upon his appearance. lie
is lovely to behold in the western sky,
where he reigns conformity with Venus rs
leader OF the bright congregation Of glow
ng stars. He will no longer approach bis
fair rival, for they are both apparently
moving westward, Venus outstripping
him in the race, and, when the month
closes, almost disappearing from view In
her near approach to The sun, thus leaving
him master OF the field.
The right ascension Of Jupiter on the LIST
Oh. 18m., his declination Is 200 22> north,
nd his diameter 32".
Jupiter sets on the 1st about IL O'Clock
In the evening; on the 30th he sets quar-
ter after 8 O'Clock.
MARS Is evening star, and the fourth In
rank according TO distance from the sun.
He Is rapidly dwindling into insignifcance
as he travels from the earth and draws
sible that be can be the same imposing