Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-02

meanings. The superior planets are II
conjunction when nearest the sun, ant
opposition when opposite or farthes
from the sun. The inferior planets arr
in superior conjunction with the sur
when passing beyond him, aud in infe
rior conjunction when passing between
the sun and tho earth.
The right ascension OF Neptune OF
the LIST is 3h. 49m., bis declination is IS
% north, his diameter is 2. 70, and hG
is in the constellation Taurus.
Neptune rises on the LIST at Sh. Am. p,
NJ. On the 3lst he rises at 3h. Aim.
A. NJ.
VENUS is morning star She is Of lit
tie account in these days, rising on the
1st about half an hour before the sun
and nearly hidden IN the sunbeams.
The right ascension of Venus on the
LIST is In. 30m.. her declination is y 81
north, her diameter is 10. Is, and she is
in the constellation Pisces.
Venus rises on the 1st at 4h. On. A.
". On the 3lst she rises at 3h. Ann.
A. NJ.
Mercury, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and
Jupiter are evening stars at the close OF
the month. Venus and Neptune are
morning stars.
THE MOON
The May moon fulls on the 25th at
Sh. 40m. A. VI. She is in conjunction
with Venus on the 9th, the day before
new moon. at 3h. 53m. A. NJ, being3o so
south. She is in conjunction with Mer-
curry on the 10th, few hours after new
moon, at 5b. lin. L. NJ, being - s.
south. She is next at her nearest point
to Neptune on the nth at Oh. 3Sm. p.
NJ. being , 80 south. On the 10th she
is very near Saturn at 2h. Bonn. p. NJ,
being f." south. On the Dist the moon
is in conjunction with Mars at 5h. Som.
p. H., being : 81 north. On the same
day, the DIST, she is in conjunction with
Uranus at Sh. 26m. p. ", being 4 %
north. Last in her circuit she swings
her ponderous sphere between rs and
Jupiter on The 18th at H. l9m. A. NJ,
being B. "a moth.
THE sUN.
The suns declination on the lst is 10
81 north. On the 3lst 1t is 22' 3 north
The sun has. therefore, moved north
ward 6 y during the month. 10 will
be noted that the sur s northern declina-
ton and the length OF the day increase
much more slowly as the sun approaches
the summer sOlstlce. or the season when
he seems TO stand still for a few days.
The suns northern declination increased
1C 8 during April. The increase is
only g. ~ during May The increase
in the length Of the day was In. Ism.
during April. The increase is 57m.
during May
MAY.
The sky is alive during the starlit
nights OF May with the wanderings of
our brother planets. a. in various aspects
thew sweep in their vast orbits around
the great central orb. Jupiter, Mars, and
Saturn are evening stars, are all visible
IN the early evening, and are in fine posi-
ton for observation. Jupiter, "star OF
imperial Joye," heads the list, superb in
size and coloring. Tie is retrograding, or
moving backwards, and almost brushes
Beta Scorpii in his course. The event
comes off at a convenient hour and under
fine conditions, and we trust will be care
fully observed. Mars also retrograding,
amulating his lordly rival, encounters
,low moving Uranus in his course, and
pale Saturn, moving eastward or in 4 di
rect course, advances towards Praesepe,
he starry cluster through which he will
presently plunge. Al 1.-The planets except
Venus are cOngregated on the suns cast
IN side from the 10th to the Goth. The
oyely month OF May, when flowers
lloom, birds sing their sweetest songs,
nd the earth is with verdure clad,
holds also in its gift, as soon as the
veninS shades prevail, charming |
picture OF our nearest celestial neigh |
lors, as, looking down with friendly |
yes upon our little planet, they move, /
waved by underwriting laws, over the /
asst concaye that arches above us. The /
Dlanets are more tangible than the other
inhabitants of celestial space, for they |
re- members OF the same family as the |
arth, have the same origin, and the same
fate. The more familiar we
ecome with their movements and his
Dry the greater will be the feeling of
wnership and the easier it will be- to
eep track OF them, 10 know them by
anne. The study Is fascinating IS well
s elevating.