Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-23
POPULAR ASTRONOMY.
Fixed Stars and Planets Which are Wis
ible at the Present Time

/ EAACu 0t<sIS anu 1lduets VI men are Wis.,
ible at the Present Time.
Written for the RECORD UNIoy by Rev. "
Slater
Seven fixed stars of the first magnitude,
and three planets, may be seen in the even
ing at the present time. The most con-
spicuous array of large fixed stars which
can be seen in the evening at any time in
the year, coming up from the east and pass
ing westerly over our heads, may be seen
in January, February and the first part of
March. No less than seven fixed s.lrs of
the first magnitude (about one-third of ali
that are ever seen from any part of the earth
at any time during the year, can be seen in
the evening at the present time fthe latter
part of February. Besides these fixed stars
of the largest size there are quite number
of the second and third magnitudes which
can also be seen in the same region of the
sky. In addition to these fixed stars, three
of the planets of the solar system, visible
to the naked eye, may be seen in the even
ing at the present time. III these heavenly
bodies are attractive objects to behold.
If persons wish to ascertain the names
and locations of these seven fixed stars and
three planets the following statements NAV
aid them in so doing The brilliant and
conspicuous constellation Orion NAV be
easily found by any one who is accustomed
to observe the stars. 1t is longest in di-
rection nearly north and south Ii has two
stars of the first magnitude-one at each
end. 1t has short. bright row of three
stars of the second magnitude midway be-
tween them, frequently called the q Belt of
Orion" This now is about three degrees
in length, with equal spaces between the
stars. The large silvery-colored star at the
south end is Rigel; the reddish colored one
at the north end is Betelguese This con-
stellation may be taken as starting place
in locating other stars. As we see il in the
sky, it appears to be situated a little farther
south than we are. The celestial equator
of the heavens which is the plane of the
earihs equator extended outward to the
H. I'd stars, passes directly across the CEN
trail part OF this constellation, lust north of
the belt OF three stars. In the early part of
the evening it is a little farther east than
our meridian-or a north and south line
passing over our heads-and in the latter
part of it, little farther west than our
meridian.
In northwesterly direction from the
belt of Orion, about 30 degrees, a cluster of
small stars may be seen, called the aseyen
stars" or Pleiades Between Orion and
this cluster, little north of a straight
line between them, and little nearer the
cluster than 10 Orion, may be seen red
dish star OF the first magnitude, called AL
debaran. This cluster and Aldebaran are
IN the constellation Taurus. The former is
north OF the eclip;ic; and the latter is
south of it.
Southeasterly from the belt Of the Orion
about % degrees, is the largest fixed star
we can see from our latitude, called Sirius;
sometimes the dog-star 1t has a bright
sllvery light. 1t is in the constellation
CAMS Major.
A little north of east from the belt of
Orion, about - degrees, is the reddish star
OF the first magnitude called Procvon. in
the constellation CAMS Minor
Nearly north from the center of Orion
about 10 degrees is the large red star of the
first magnitude, called Capella, in the con-
stellatlon Auriga. 1t was near this star that
the noted comet of June, 1881, was first
seen.
II straight line between Rigel and Be
telguese, the two largest stars in Orion. he
extended out northeastern from the latter
star IA or 10 degrees it will point out the
location of large reddish star, similar in
appearance to Betelguese, which will be
little west of this straight line This star
IS the planet Saturn, in the western part of
the constellation Gemini. The distance
SNe"Sh tbCSA ioCtSl5utSb Is q little
greater than the distance between Betel-
guese and Saturn.
Down towards the eastern horizon. near
the apparent pathway of the sun. may be
seen in the evening now two conspicuous
stars, one above the other, some Is or 10
degrees apart. These stars are the planets
Mars and Jupiter, the former being the
highest up and the latter the lowest down.
They are both in the constellation Verge.
They are growing brighter and brighter on
account of the earth approaching nearer to
them. This will continue in the case of
Mars until March 6, 1886. and in the case
of Jupiter until March D. 1886. They also
rise earlier each succeeding day, on account
OF the earths progress in its orbit. This
continues throughout the year
In nearly straight line between Saturn
and these two planets, but nearer TO them
than to Saturn, may be seen fixed star of
the first magnitude, called Regulus. in the
constellation Leo. The ecliptic passes with
in half degree of this star, on the south
side of it.
Thus seven fixed stars of the first magni-
tude-Rigel, Betelguese, Aldebaran, Sirius
Procyon, Capella and Regulus-and three
planets-Saturn, Mars and Jupiter-have
been pointed out. The best time to observe
the stars is in the absence of moonlight
and when the atmosphere is clear of vapor