The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-04

I'm the diagram r represents the pole star Po-
lsris. which is small, fairly bright red star; m
Major; indicates the triangle called the Lynx;
the four stars indicated by form the swan: is
II the position of Vega: points out Cassiopeia's
Chair represents Thuban, in the Dragon, and
represents Algol in Pergeus-
NORTH cIRcuMPoLAE CONSULTATIONS.
The above diagram represents a few of
the north circumpolar consultations. or
those which circulate necessarily about
the pole-star. If the observer viii face
the north and hold the diagram overhead
IN diagonal position, he will be able TO
locate the ngures without difficulty. The
first constellation TO be looked for, and
which is most easily detected, is Ursa
Major, the Great Bear, better known as the
'dipper." The stars marked d and n, in
the diagram are the famous pointers !"
Dubhe and Merak. Whatever their posi-
tons, these two stars always point to the
north star, which can be found by draw
ing line directly through them, begin
ming at Merak and extending il about 3
degrees from Dubhe. Poiaris, the north
star, is to us the changeless point of crea-
ton around which all the universe re-
wolves. Once located, il will always be
found In the same position, from which it
never eviates, neither day nor night
Poiaris is the point of the universe
where the diameter of the earth, extended,
position. Its light reaches the earth after
journey of perhaps forty-nve years, its
distance being school boys problem of
multiplying the velocity of light, say 1s0,-
90 miles per second, by forty-lsve years
Though shining AZ one star, Polaris is
really binary or double star, IFS light be-
ing made up OF two stars instead of one, as
appears to the naked eve, which means, in
other words, that the distance of this star
is so great that vet another star, removed
from 1t perhaps trillions of miles. appears
IN the telescope to be its near neighbor.
With telescope of sufficient power
Polaris would appear a double diamond
whose rays, flashing and interchanging
each with the other, would present 10 the
observer picture of great beauty
Polaris is the Rnal star in the tail of the
constellation of Ursa Minor, or the Little
Bear. The stars of this constellation are
rather dim, making it somewhat difficult
10 oe aeelpnered' except on a perfectly
clear night and in the absence of the moon
Its shape is almost an exact equivalent 10
that OF the Big Bear. except as 10 apparent
size and the position of the tail 4 refer
eilce TO the diagram will assist the reader
In tracing the Little Bear.
Cygnus, the Swan, is one Of the i'm
poTtant and easily discernable consteila-
lions OF he northern heavens. Ii contains
the star 81 Cygnns. which is the secono
nearest star TO the sun. IL is another of
the double stars, and vet. while shining Is
one star, ii Is separated from its companion
by gulf forty-five times the distance of
the earth from the sun, or 45x9S o0O, 600, a
fact which may help the Imagination some
little In conceiving the immensely of
space. It's distance from the sun is forty
four millions OF millions Of miles, requir-
ing between seven and nine years for its
light To reach the earth.
Algol, situated IN the corner OF the dia-
gram, belongs to the constellation of
PerSeus, and Is one OF the stars 10 be
known, as through il the first deaniIe ~
measurement of the diameter of star has
been reached. Ii is variable star of such
rapidity as to givea perceptible change of
brlilancy within period of six hours IL
Is now believed that the variability of Alvol
Il caused by the presence of a huge dark
companion. which moves about is luDin-
AIRY Al the fearful speed of once in three
days, Professor Charles Young has given
an interesting sketch of this subject in the
September number of the Farum.
The history of CSssiopeia was referred
90 in the catalogue Tor December. Between
Polaris and the Swan the constellation of
King Cepheus IL 10 be found. formed some
what in the shape OF the letter X.
The star indicated by the letter { is Thu
ban, in the constellation Of the Dragon,
which can be easily noticed as i long. sin
uoas line twined in between the Great and
Little Bears. Thuhan was the role-Sfar
when the pyramids were built. as evidenced
by the fact that, standing in the door of
the pyramids which faces 20 what was then
the north, Thuhan and not Polaris comes
Immediately in the range Of vision.
Vega, alpha Lyrar, was also referred 10
last month as being the polar star Of the
future.