The morning call., 1890-06-04
The Scorpion

rapidly westward. few nights hence il Will have
passed through the head of the scorpion and be-
yOnd The aDenna or feeler into tile next con
steation. Number l in the diagram is Mars at
present the largest aud brightest OF the group;
is Antares, supposed TO marx the heart OF the
scorpion and The principal Orb, when not out
shOne by some planetary yisitant; and is an
Interesting star OF second magnitude, seen TO be
composed OF two, even in small telescope. and
of three in those of high magniyng powers.
Some months ago Mars held nearly similar
position to that represented, and before long
IL VIII seem 10 pass Tor the ihiia Time over
nOrthward from Antares once again for sumo
days. This is the famous retrograde motion
which puzzled ancient observers ana led to the
erroneous supposlton that planets sometimes
described loop IN their circuit round the
heavens
cOunteractng TO some extent IN certain positions
the true onward movement Of the planet.
The surface of this interesting Obj. which has
the best claim 10 being called Kindred world,
was Que Of the objects viewed by members of
the Astronomical Society OF The Pacific who at
tended the meeting at the Lick Observatory
MAY 31st. Mars has long been known 10 have
distinct shadlngs on Its surface, as our earth
would probably have, owing 10 The different as
pecIs OF land aud water, il viewed even at an
immense distance. For some years past astrOn-
omers have been ibing and discussing The
appearance OF straight lines not seen uuIii
Gently, but which Iun parallel and rather close
To straight lines Which have been a Iong-known
feature OF the martial planet These markings
which have been called canals more for conven-
ness OF the term, are OF special Interest at pres
cut as they may he wateT-courses of natural
formation. or may eventually prove to be mere
optical Illusions. Through The 80 Inch re-
tractor the surface Of mars was OF a yellowish
TIM, with very dark sections, seemingly under
an outer atmosphere or envelope that Is nearly
transparent. The adjacent lighter sections,
probably continents, were noticeable for a lack
OF samenesS In aspect and IL Is easy 10 under
stand how skilled observers under favorable at
mosphefic conditions can discern that this Is
caused by parallel streakS breaking up the
uniformity OF appearance.
Two opposite points of The yellow disc were
noticeable lighter than The central zones. As
uonOmers attribute this aspect TO the existence
OF frozen regions such as surround the poles OF
the earth. one OF the small moons, from ten TO
twenty miles in diameter. that reyOlye around
Mars lighting up Its landscapes more or less.
was disceini6le on The west side, and the other
was obseured by the CLEAN OF The planet, which
needs TO be dued for Il satisfactory study Of lis
revolving satellites.
a fine view of a portion of the nearly full moon
was also obtained through The great telescope;
and the numerous visitors who the cralers
Copernicus aud Kepler, their white radating
Aristarchus, viii not easily forget the glimpse
obtained OF lunar topogl Apply that
occasion AT The meeting of The A.
5. r., held in the library previous To
the opening of the obseryatories in au interest
ing paper entitled DO the Colors of stars Ind-
Gale Their Age?' The Hon. William M. Pierson
OF san Francisco presented some valuable EVIL
dence on the subject. Ii must first be explained
that while 10 general view all stars golden, a
dlffeience OF tint can be detected by praclced
observers even without tile aid of magnfyiug
power Antares, for Instance has a reddish hue,
Vega, in the northeast, has blue shade, and
Arcturns, near the zenith, Is deep golden Seen
through the speclrOseope the difference OF Tint Is
far more noticeable. Stars that when viewed
through telescope are found 10 be double are
often composed OF the light of two OF different
tints, and Mr.. PiersOn called attention TO the fact
that III a large number OF such cases the smaller
star, when there Is difference OF size, is found
10 be blue or nearer To blue than the larger orb
From this and other evidences lie inferred that
the blue star is the older, though admitting that
there is difference OF opinion OF the subiecr
With regard 10 stellar age. It must be under
stood that II means not the length OF time star
Is in existence, but how far 1t is advanced in the
process OF cooling and consequent condensation
from the supposed original condition OF gaseous
heat The more advanced the stage the older
the star. regardless OF its period Of actual exist
ence.
Professor Keller remarked that cannon balls
when heated show gradations Of color ndcat-
ing an opposite evidence; the more heated balls
being nearer to white or blue than the cooler
ones, which are reddish, while The green tint
sometimes seen In stars Is not represented In
their cooling process. 1t was concluded thai The
matter was unsettled and open TO interesting in
Ve5tlsati0n. Those who wish TO study IL further
VIII lind some remarks OF Interest on page 452 of
and Colleges"
Professor Strawberries theories respectnprbe
curvature Of the c0ronal steamers seen during
Total eclipse were explained In technical language
by Tie author OF them, and afterward briefly
eiueldaied Tor popular comprehension by Pro
lessor Holden: The theories have been favor
ably received by the astronomical world aud no
doubt are destined 10 be a prominent subject OF
comment In the near future.
Inc meeting was not OF long duration, but was
replele with interest; and the kind efforts of fine
astronomers 10 afford every facility for sarisfac-
tory observation will render the trip TO the noun
tam an agreeable remembrance TO the visitors
and especially to the members OF the Astronom
lcal Society of the Pacific.