The Portland daily press., 1888-08-02
Planets In August.
providence Journal


Jupiter is evening star. He stands first on
the list as the most interesting planet of the
solar brotherhood during August. There
are many points in his course that Will at
tract the attention of the lover of the stars.
he Is In quadrature with the sun, or 9oO east
OF him, on the Goth at 3h a. M, is ON the
meridian at that time about sunset. and Is
beautiful to behold, as with stately step he
trayerses his western path until he sinks be-
low the horizon. He is not seen under his
pest conditions on account of his great
southern declination and his increasing dis.
lance from the earth. His meridian altitude
is low. and the arc he describes in the heavens
less In extent than 1t is when he reaches his
greatest northern declination and describes
his most extended arc in the sky. AS 1t take
the planet year to pass through one con-
stellation OF the zodiac and twelve years to
complete revolution round the sun. several
years are still erequired to bring him 70 .
position when his stay above the horizon is
the longest, and his size and brilliancy are
tne greatest to northern observers IN Of
that time. he chances to be near opposition
ana peIlhellon, the prince Of planets is yisi-
pie under the most favorable circumstancas
that can exist for terrestrial observers. Such
was the case at the perihelion of the planet
Of dooo. ana MS majestic aspect at that time
messed 1t. Meantime the Jupiter of The
present month is a charming object as he
moves on his unerring course in the serene
stariit evenings, enthroned among the stars
OF the beautiful constellation Scorpio. draw
ing nig near 70 Beta Scorpii and perceptibly
iessenlng the distance that intervenes be-
tween him and the red star Antares. Hell
conveniently situated, also, for the Observer
needs only to command view of the south-
western SKY to follow his course from sunset
f anri ne disappears. He sets on the LIST about
the 3lst about three hours after the sun.
Jupiter sets on the 1st at 1lh. 29m. n. m
On the 31st, he sets at Oh. ~ D. m.
Mars is evening star. He shares with
Jupiter the honor of being visible in the
q subordinate degree, for heis lower down in
the west and his brightness and ruddy glow
are fast diminishing. The approach of
Jupiter and Mars is the most attractive
planetary incident of the month. Both
planets are travelling eastward, but as Mars
moves faster he viii gain upon his competi
TOT In the race, as any one who notes the po-
sltion OF the stars may easily see. Mars sets
On = tne LIST about an hour before Jupiter; on
me the oist the planets are SO near each other
ier the Inc former sets about half-hour ear
iunctIo Sn az ms planetary companion. The con-
ru S.Ire bn o. the evening sky in July, the
trasted with the siiyery white LIGHT ue of c On
ina Tho me me- approach Of Mars to Jupiter dur
i ngg l rs, present month will be more interest,"
are ou u fe lanet draws near to planet Planets
able chains I" t hs linkeo in inextric
together in the same destiny. stars anu er pound
SO far away that even the light tbaS aie suns
grown old in the long distance t6aEf 'y mas has
veneS before IL reaches the round 1yorid 1'e,-
which we live. "orid GU