Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-03
THE STARS OF THE MONTH.
What Can fse Seen In the Sky at O'Clock
Thess Evenings-story OF tho Sickle and
Diu0Ar--Tofa1 Ircltosa NJ the Sun.

Wnat Can Be seen In the Sky ae 0VCioch
These Evenings-ssory OF tho Sickle and
Dipper-Total Eclipse Of the Sun.
WRITTEN FOR THE DrsrAreH.l
Nine stars of the first magnitude are now
above the horizon at 9 P. M. Six of them
Capella, Aldebaran, Procyon, Sirius, Betel-
geuse and Rigel-are grouped in and around
the constellation Orion. Their positions
are shown on the accompanying plants
phere, which should enable one readily to
identify them.
The planisphere shows the principal stars
and consultations that are above the hori-
zon at 9 P. NJ, April 8, 1892. To compare
this chart with the heavens, one should
hold it nearly overhead, when the points Of
the compass indicated on it will come right,
and the stars will fall into their proper po-
sitions
In the east, at about one-third of the dis
tance from the horizon to the zenith, is
Arcturus, the Bear-warden, in the constella-
tion Bootes, the Herdsman. This is usually
accounted the brightest star in the northern
skies, its only rival being Vega, in the Lyte,
which at the hour named has just peeped
above the horizon, in the northeast. The
ninth star is Spica, the wheat-ear, in the
constellation Virgo. It is now in the SOUTH
east, at about one-fourth the distance from
the horizon to the zenith.
Some OF the considerations.
A few of the consultations only are suf-
fciently we'll marked to be readily point
ed out. Every one is familiar with Orion,
which may now be seen reclining on its
left side just above the horizon in the
west.
Toward the south, at about two-thirds of
the distance from the horizon to the zenith,
is Leo, the brightest star, in which Regulus
was, indeed, formerly olassed as of the first
magnitude. Leo contains sub-constella-
tien, the Sickle, known to many who are
unacquainted with the Lion itself Regu-
lus is the gem in the handle of the Sickle;
its blade is formed by curved line of five
or six less brilliant stars. To the left of
the Sickle may be seen small rectangular
figure. formed by four stars. This marks
the headquarters of the Lion, the Sickle
forming his head and shoulders. Almost
directly overhead may be seen the Great
Dipper-the Arthur's or Charles VAIN of
old English literature, the Plow, as the
group of seven stars. Like the Sickle, the
Dipper is a popular rather than an astro-
nomical constellation.
A Monster In the Sky.
It forms the hindquarters and tail of the
Ursa Major, or Great Bear, a celestial
monster which is otherwise so ill.defned
that one will hardly be repaid for seeking
its outlines without the aid Of celestial
chart.
The seven stars of the "dipper" are often
referred to by their Arabic names. Begin
ming with the outermost star in the bowl,
and taking them in order, they are Dubhe,
Merak, Pfrad and Megrez, in the bowl, and
Alioth, Mizar and Benetnash in the handle.
Very close to Mizar is faint star called
Alcor, the Tester, SO named because an
ability to see it was considered proof of
good eyesight. Dubhe and Mizar are also
known as the 'ePointers," since they are
nearly in line with and thus serve to
point out the Pole Star, which is distant
from them about five times their distance
apart. The Pole Star is of the second mag
nitade. One cannot miss it, as there is no
other star of equal brightness near it.
The Pole star is at the top Of the tail Of