Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-28
PLANETS FOR FEBRUARY.


tproviaence Journal
JurTrER IL morning star, in scientific
classification, until the 10Th, when he
changes his role and becomes evening
star. An event then occurs in the solar
family Of noteworthy interest to the in
habitauts Of this planet. For Jupiter
IN opposition is the sidus inter minores
i9aes on which terrestrial observers gaze
with wonder and admiration. The
Prince Of Planets then takes on his
most glorious form and plainly'shows
chat he is the power behind the throne,
almost the rival Of the great luminary
whom he resembles more closely than
h the case with any Of his brother
planets.
At opposition, Jupiter comes into
line with the earth and the sun, the
earth being in the middle, so that We
are At our nearest point to him, and he
II larger and more brilliant than at any
other time. The magnificent planet
holds his state as far away from the
sun as possible, rising proudly in the
east as the sun sinks slowly in the west,
reaching the zenith with stately step,
az the sun touches the nadir. and
gradually fading out Of sight in the
west as the sun appears rejoicing
In the east. We never behold this
giant OF the planetary family in
his present aspect without being
grateful that the earth's position in
the system is inside instead Of outside
Of the vast orbit through which he
makes his circuit round the sun. II is
for this reason that we can behold him
at eventidc shining in the east or look
ing down with friendly eyes from the
midnight blackncss Of the sky. IL al
ways seems as If the oppositions in the
suns family that bring the planets into
closer companionship are like birthdays
in terrestrial families and as worthy OF
being celebrated. They are indeed
festival occasions to all whose hearts
are attuned to the harmony of
Che spheres and who have learned to
follow with enthusiastic interest the
ceaseless wanderings Of the solar fam
lily. Our planet is no unworthy mem
Der of the solar fold, with whose pres
ent existence and future destiny her
own is indissolubly linked. The oppo-
sition Of Jupiter occurs on the 18th at
2o'clock in the morning. He is, how
ever, not in his most bcaming aspect,
for he must be at or near perihelion,
and in high northern declination, to be
seen under the most favorable circum-
stances. These conditions do not oc-
cur until about 1892. Ordinary oppo-
sitions like the present show our shi-
ming brother in charming aspect.
The problems waiting for solution in
regard TO Jupiter are almost without
number. Telescopists are never weary
of studying the markings on his disc.
New lines Of his varying belts, dots on
his surface, changing tints, bright spots
near his equator, riffs in his cloud-at-
mosphere, OSCILLATIONS and transits Of
his moons and their shadows, are
scanned by eagle-eyed observers, accu-
rately mapped by skilled draughtsmen,
and laid away to swell the huge pile of
observations which, one Of these days,
when the Jovian alphabet has found an
interpreter, will reveal the process Of
matchmaking going on in planet so
huge in bulk that his primeyal fire still
burns.
The great red spot visible for years
on Jupiter has come and gone, Its
appearance was a mystery; its disap-
pearance is equally unaccountable. 1t
left behind an unsolved problem, tangi-
BILE proof Of the equatorial acceleration
Of the planet. For the bright spots
near the equator made circuit around
the planet in five minutes less time than
the great red spot that was 40 degrees
from the equator. In precisely the same
way the spots near the suns equator
complete a revolution in less time than
those nearer the poles. Here is an
other link connecting the central lu-
minary more intimately with his lordly
son, and including his developments
within the bounds Of solar mysteries.
When We find out the reason why the
equatorial sun-spots move faster than
the polar sun-spots, then we shall learn
why the Joyian bright spots moved faster
than the great red spot. We shall
probably be convinced at the same time
that the regal planet is far more in the
condition Of the sun than his less mas
sive and less richly-endowed brethren.
How many ages must roll on before the
dawn of the day Of certainty succeeds
the long night of theory?
Meantime those who do not care to
discuss Jovian problems must improve
every opportunity for a view of the
planet, stately in form, delicate in tint,
varied in hue, majestic in pose, as he
hangs low in the heavens, apparently so
near the space-annihilating glass that il
seems as il he might be touched by
reaching out the hand. Jupiter, when
millions Of years hence he becomes
fitted for the abode Of animate life.
will doubtless be a pleasant dwelling
place. But there are drawbacks
10 all finite enjoyment, and we
shall not look upon the future
Jovians with envious eyes if they
are organized like the inhabitants of
this planet. They will have a sun only
one-twenty-fifth as large as the glorious
orb that Eliminates our sky, and only
one-twenty-ffth Of the light and heat
that We enjoy. IL by that time the
suns fires grow dim the prospect is
not very brilliant.
The right ascension of Jupiter on
the LIST is l0h. 2lm. his declination is
ii degrees 80 minutes north his diane
ter is 1874, and he may be found in
the constellation Leo.
Jupiter rises on the LIST few min
u.es before o'clock in the evening on
the 2sth he sets about quarter after 6
o'clock in the morning.
MARS is evening star until the llth,
when NE takes his turn in joining the
morning stars. On the 18th. at 7
o'clock in the morning, he is in con-
junction with the sun, reversing the
role played by his brother planet Jupi-
tor Tins illustvating thu two most i'm