Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-04-30
Fascinating Facts About the Planet
and Its Family of RevOlv-
ing Moons.
It's Long Journey About the Sun, It's
Short Days and Polar
Regions.

D Q
uOus object upon the evening sky, may be
rightly regarded, in almost every respect,
as the most wonderful and interesting
member OF the planetary system When
| seen at convenient altitude above the
horizon, at or near opposition to the sun,
/ the 'ringed planet is the most charm
\ ing object, particularly when viewed with
/ a telescope, that the heavens present TO our
observation. Second only to Jupiter in
mass and volume Saturn far surpasses
/ that huge planet, both in the beauty and
completely Of its system, which forms a
\ spectacle as wonderful as 1T is UNIQUE,
and curious celestial combination being
without a parallel in the entire frma-
meut
Once every year and thirteen days Saturn
comes into opposition, at which time the
planet vies with Jupiter and Venus in
brilliancy. As the planet appears in near
! ly the same position from month TO month
| it slow motion being almost impercept-
ibe, requiring two and one-half years to
pass over one sign of the zodiac, it may
be easily recognized among the stars, and
when once carefully located, it can not
! possibly be mistaken for any other planet
visible TO the naked eye. 1t shines with
the brilliancy of an ordinary frst-magni-
tude star, aud with steady light CT a
dull yellow color, which will alone enable
an observer TO distinguish it from any
other celestial orb in its neighborhood
But its apparent brightness varies consid-
orably and just at present it is fainter
than the average, owing TO the closing
up OF its ring system, which is seen nearly
edgewise, and is visible only through the
most powerful telescope.
Saturn was IN opposition on March is,
when 1t reached point $50 degrees from
the sun, and being then nearest to the
earth it was the most favorably situate d
for observation, either with the telescope
or by the naked eye The planet is now
among the stars Of the constellation Leo,
or Lion, and may be seen at a convenient
elevation, toward the southeast, about two
hours after sunset. Saturn and the moon
were IN conjunction--that is, near togeth-
er on line extending north and south
both having the same longitude-April 9,
and will be similarly situated again Nav
8, at which time the two orbs will be in
| close proximity to each other, when the
planet may be easily located and identi-
fed
Saturn Is moving at present from east
I 20 west, an appearance that is due to the
tact that we upon the earth are moving
more rapidly than the planet between it
and the sun. Ii viii continue to retroQade
in westerly direction until Nav 25, when
it apparently becomes stationary, at which
time the earth, as seen from the planet.
will be at its greatest western elCngation
from the sun, and receding from Saturn
IN a nearly straight line at the rate of
about eighteen miles per second.
| During the present month tue planet
will be prominent and interesting object
IN the early evening, continuing above the
horizon until nearly daylight and present
ing an appearance that can not fail to at
tract the attention of those who enjoy an
occasional survey of the heavens. It will
gradually appear fainter and smaller, as
we are now receding from the planet, and
1t always gets farther away from us after
passing its opposition, though it will be
quite prominent yet for many weeks TO
come.
1t is interesting to note the important
lessons which modern astronomy has
taught concerning the various members of
the planetary system, and among the re-
cent researches IN astronomical science few
have proved so instructive, or been at
tendeI with such valuable and satisfac-
tor results as those directed to the planet
Saturn, the glorious ''ripged world To
the aucleats Saturn was the most distant
known planet from the sun, and was long
believed to be situated at the extreme Inn
MS OF the solay system, From the earliest
ages the mighty orb Of Saturn was sup.
IpJsad TO form the boundary of the solar
system, and the ancient astronomers never
dreamed that other planets existed, and
would be discovered still more remote
from the sun The astrooqars selected
Saturn rs the planet which, above all 9th,
ers, worked the most mischievous effects
on tie fortunes OF the human race. He
was held 20 be not only mean but an evil
( planet, aptiy named after the old god.
whose cruelty was matched by bis dullness
and stupidity
To the amateur IN astronomical science
the planet Saturn can not but prove most
/ charming and interesting object of study
/ No person can observe this beautiful
/ planet through powerful telescope par
1 tlCularly for the hTs. time, without being
. inspired with an emotional love for astran.
1my, as there are few revelations Of the
| marvellous science more interesting. start
! ling, and sublime than those relating 10
this glorious orb-the most fascinating of
| the planets, and the miniature OF the solar
system The late Professor Proctor made
/ these impressive remarks concerning this
wonderful plaret Il know ot nothing
better calculated to lead men 70 choose
( astronomy as their fayorite subject of
udy than the contemplation Of the Sa.
turnlan system can well remember the
| sensation with which, some eight wears
1 ago. J saw this beautiful planet for the
first time | look ON that view Is nav
Introduction to the most fascinating Of all
I he sciences.
The planet Saturn is next e jupiter.
1 both In size and distance from the sun. h
requires tweuty-uine ana ons-half years
\ to complete i single revolution around c
sun. az a mean distance of $4,000. coo
ui.es. which Is nearly twice the distance
81 Jupiter, AMI owing to TIE eecantricitv
\ Of ats Immense orbit, the planet Is a5uut
! 0),QQ0 900 miles nearer the sun at peri
helion than at apbeIi0n Is distance
from the earth is least at opposition ana
greatest a. conjunction. bue as tine earth
and Saturn occupy different positions id