Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-30
THE APRIL SKIES,
The Program of the Planets and Constable
lions for Next Month.
From f1oN v,rlr

CO00t0uR.
lions for Next Month.
From the New York Times
The fourth month of the year presents many
attractions for those who follow with unwaver-
ing interest the ever-changing movements of
the sun and his family Of worlds, and while not
especially notable in an astronomical sense it
still has sufficient to engage the attention of
the star gazer. The sun has now passed through
q little more than half of its apparent journey
between its southerly and northerly standing
points. On March 20, when it crossed the line,
it dashed past the halfway house in its course
across the armament, and for the next six
months it will be north of the equinoctial.
The duration Of the daylight hours is now
slightly in excess of that of the period of dark
ness, and the margin between them will keep
on broadening until the closing days Of June.
This is true for all Of the earth north of the
equator, but south Of that line the opposite
conditions will prevail.
The April moon does not come in until the
9Th, as there is over a week of the old moon
remaining when tho month begins. On the
9Th there is conjunction with Mercury but the
crescent Is almost too close to the sun to admit
OF the meeting being seen, even if the planet
was itself visible. On the 18th there will be
conjunction with both Mars and Neptune.
showing that the god Of war and the god of the
ocean are very close together. Our satellite
draws near to Saturn on the 10Th, and closes
the monthly round with call upon the far
distant Uranus on the23d, the day Of full moon.
Jupiter again comes prominently to the front
as the most conspicuous of the planets. Emerg-
ing from the Unfolding rays Of the sun, he has
for some time been plainly visible to early
risers an hour or so before the dawn. Today
there Is only twenty minutes difference between
Venus and Jupiter-the former is drawing
nearer the sun and the latter is separating FROM
it-so that the interval between the two planets
will be decreasing until they are in conjunc-
ton. This takes place on the 9Th and will be
one of the events of the season in the astro.
nomical world. The two planets will appear
almost touching, and no finer opportunity
could be wished for making a comparison be-
tween these two great rivals of tho starry
heavens. Perhaps the tableau on the 9Th may
be considered as presenting finer picture, as
the waning moon will take one Of the principal
roles, and the slight distance separating tho
three may lend enchantment to the view. The
constellation Of the water bearer has the honor
Of being the scene Of this remarkable gather
ing:
on the LIST rises less than two hours before the
sun appears above the eastern horizon. As she
travels toward superior conjunction she at the
same time recedes from tho earth, her semi
diameter naturally decreases and with it her
brilliancy. She has been fair to see for many
weeks, and, although she will not lay aside her
starry crown for some little time to come, her
rival, Jupiter, ID gaining rapidly upon her and
will fairly outshine her before her present
course as a morning star has been fully run
Her varied phases have been charming ever
since she hung tremulous with brightness
in the golden sunset, and then disap-
peared as evening star to reappear soon
again on the other side OF the sun, shining with
brilliancy ecllpsing all else in the early morn
ing sky. Swinging away from the sun to her
Of wa al rat in, oh
inevitable law, she is forced to retrace her steps
until she comes directly in the presence of the
great orb Of day, whose destinations are too
powerful for her to resist. In the tableau Of the
9th her part in spite Of all is most prominent
one, and those who have enough ambition to
become the suns courtiers and attend his morn
ing levees at the break of dawn will have O rare
picture that will well repay the extra exertion.
Saturn has been rising earlier and earlier and
is now visible almost the entire night being in
plain sight as soon as there is sufficient dark
ness for any Of the stars to be visible and COM
ing to our meridian about 10:15.
Mercury has sufficient stability to remain an
evening star during the month OF April.
Neptune is an evening star and is to be found
in the constellation of the Bull, which Orion is
so vainly striving to conquer.
Uranus is morning star and maintains his po-
sition fairly close to the bright star Splca in
the constellation Of the Virgin.
Mars sets little after 8 o clock in the even
ing, and Is therefore IN evening star. The con-
junction with Neptune on the 28th has been
already referred to. Observations of this
planet show that changes are continually tax
ing place in its various lakes and canals. The
latter are at times hidden from our sight and
their size varies in width from 37L to 1861
miles, while in some instances their length
measures more than $685. miles. All or
nearly all divide in two parts, which process Of
duplication is most wonderful, as in o period
OF twenty-four hours the transformation occurs
simultaneously along the whole length Of the
canal. When it is to take place the canal, until
then single and clear like y black line, becomes
nebulous and grows wider.
In the northern heavens we now see the
Little Bear passing above the horizontal posi-
ton which he had not quite reached last month,
while the Great Bear Is overhead and inverted.
King Cepehus is now Immediately below the
standing on his head in Q most unkingly atti-
tude. Cassiopeia is where it always can be
found-on the opposite side of the pole star to
that occupied by the Dipper. In the southern
sky the great sea serpent, Hydra, occupies the
leading position. This IL the longest and nearly
the largest Of the constellation. The ruling
ecliptic constellation for the month is the Lion
easily distinguished by the Sickle, in the handle
of which il the beautifully bright star Regulus
In the east there IL Bootes underneath which
are the stars Of the Serpent. In the west
Taurus is passing from sight. The Twins, fol-
lowed by the Lesser Dog, are approaching the
midwest or prime vertical, and hang like glori-
Gus crowns over Orion a. he passes toward his
setting place.
On Their Way to Wilmington.
cyrene Commandery, No. I, K. T., Of Pitts