Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-20

viii dsisn % rsy<sl lhe delicate shs-
dinfs, the duxky patches, the bright
spo(s, The dark shadows, and tho blunt-
"a and pointed cusps that form The mo
dinm of communication between the
earth and her twin-sistcf.
But the difficulties IN the way have
not deferred many Of the best cbser-
yers, whose names stand high on astro-
nomicaI records, from making the
closest scrutiny Of the planets disc.
The result Of their labors was for many
years the occasion Of much controversy,
on account Of the exceeding indistinct-
ness Of the views obtained. The light
Of better day is now dawning, espc-
cially ewing to the continuous and in
defatigable study Of the planet for the
few last years. The time Of the rota-
ton Of Venus is approximately known
10 be nearly the same as that Of the
earth the non-cxistencc Of satellite Is
considered settled question; there is a
probability that we catch occasional
elimpses Of her mountains, continents,
and seas, while there is reason 10 hope
that the proof Of existing ice-caps will
be confirmed, thus showing the position
Of her poles.
Astronomers have long been looking
for these ice-bound circles on the plan
cts disc, although her intense lustrc
and vicinity to the source Of heat seem
to veto the existence of cold and ice.
We pass by many observations of bright
spots seen, or supposed to be seen, in
the seventeenth and eighteenth centu-
rics, for their existence has been sub
ject Of doubt and discussion In the
present century, especially within the
last few years, we come upon more re-
liable Observations. The observers Of
the present century may not be supe-
rior to those Of the past, but their in
strmments are better, and the science Of
astronomy has made rapid progress in
these later days.
In 1913 Gruithuisen detected white
spots near the poles Of Ecnus---or the
theoretical place for the poles--present-
ing the appearance of a cap Of ice, the
spots being more pronounced near the
south pole. In 1868 Mr.. Browning
saw bright patch Of home extent so
degrees from the southern cusp so lu-
minous as t. show protection like the
snow on Mars. NM. Bouquet and
Arago have recently reported to the
Academy of Sciences in Paris the re-
suits of their examination of the pho
tographs taken by the French expedi-
tions during the last transit Of Venus.
Several protuberances were plainly
visible on the photographs. Trouye-
lot, the prince of observers in this
department, for, since 1878, he has OBJ
served two white spots on Venus 242
times and made 100 drawings of them,
thinks that one of these protuberances
is the identical polar spot observed by
him in 1873, shortly before the inferior
conjunction of Venus, a spot seen by
him on several occasions. The latest
observation of which we have seen
record was made in this country by
Mr.. Guldenschuh, of Rochester, New
York, on the 18th Of last August. He
was observing the planet, then at her
period of greatest brilliancy, with a
silyered glass rejecting telescope. He
saw clearly defined in profile on the
terminator Of the crescent brilliant
white spot greatly resembling the polar
spots on Mars.
1t is to be hoped that when Venus
comes again into favorable conditions
these telescope observations may be
confirmed. and that the question may
be definitely settled. We may then be-
lieve that the poles of our fair neigh
Dor. as well as these of the earth and
Mars, are surrounded by heaped-up
masses of ice and snow. The time
will doubtless come when greatly i'm
proved telescopes will reveal more
plainly the now shadowy features
of the planet. How interesting will
then be the study Of the earth's
sole companion in size in the
whole system? Whatever secrets may
be revealed by the telescope TO future
star-gazers, Venus will be to the un-
aided eye long as time endures the
most lovely of all the stars that stud
the firmament--a never-;ailing source of
admiration either as
" Fairest OF stars last in the train of night"
or
"Surepledge OF day. that crowns thesmiling
morn"