Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-03
THE HEAVENS IN APRIL.
Total Eclipse of the Sun to Occur During
the Month.

"A Total Eclipse OF the sun to Occur During
the Month.
From the New York Times.
There are several quite important and inter-
esting phi enomena to distinguish the month Of
April and make it of more than usual conse-
quence. The event of greatest moment and
most attra ctive to the scientist is the total
eclipse of the sun on the 18th and 10Th Of the
month.
While we are not permitted to see the eclipse
in this latitude it occurs under circumstances
which make its observation peculiarly promising
to science.
This year the eclipse occurs at time when
the solar fires are in extraordinary blast and the
pilot osphere is convuised by enormous cyclone
like spots. 1t will be visible in regions COM
paratively near and accessible at u time when
astronomers are better prepared than ever be-
fore to i'm prove the opportunity.
The eclipse this year will be visible in the
compar atIvely cloudiess regions of both the
African desert and of South Amerlca-a very
important consideration and one not likely to
be SO well fulfilled in any other eclipse for the
next half century. Along the path Of total
eclipse there are several admirable stations
available for observation. while vessels trayers-
ing the Atlantic trade-wind zone will be in fine
positions for observing the phenomenon.
Perhaps there could be no more conclusive
proof Of there being man in the moon than
the fact that the phenomenon known as the
full occurs twice in April. For a short
month to contain five phases is somewhat re-
markable. The first of the month brought us a
full moon. and the last will duplicate it. but the
latter being somewhat further south will prob
ably seem warmer and nearer to us. The 9th
has the phase Of last quarter. and Aprils new
moon does not come until the 10Th.
There is conjuncti ton between moon and
planet eight times during April, the first being
with Uranus the morning OF the third and the
last with the same planet just as the month is
about to close. On the 14th comes Mercury's
turn, then Venus, two DAYS later which il the
closest for the month; Jupiter comes the follow
ing day, and on the 18th Neptune and the
growing crescent are at their closest. Mars re-
ceives visit on the 18th and Saturn on the
27th about midnight. This last will make the
best spectacular showing for, while the moon
is somewhat too bright, it will he interesting to
see the two bodies so close together, besides
which the maj rity Of the other conjunctions
are hidden from our view.
What makes Uranus particularly deserving
Of our interest this month is the fact OF his be-
ing in opposition with the sun the 2Sth,
after which he will be one OF the galaxy of
evening stars. Its greatest diameter for the
year also occurs at this time, when IL subtends
an angle Of 3.S2 seconds. but when at its fur
therest away this angle is only 3.42 seconds. 1t
must be borne in mind, however, that small
number of miles of distance are involved.
From the fact Of its having measurable disk
Its diameter in miles is only q matter of calcu-
lation, and the astronomers have decided that
81, 200 mile is about the proper figure.
We shall hardly have q glimpse of either
Venus or Jupiter during April. The two are
engulfed in the long rays of gold that shoot
with tremendous beauty from the sun and
efectually pale even the brilliant coloring of
these lust-ous gems of the sky. They have a
l..,Ia - IL. Al Al
following that on which Jupiter is in conjunc-
ton with the sun. Their two disks almost
touch and were We only able to penetrate the
dazzling sunlight picture rare and as beau
tifui as that exhibited when last they came
together on the eastward side OF the sun would
reward us.
Mercury is now among the morning stars and
is Fastening toward his most distant western
position from the sun, which he reaches on the
18th.
Neptune, the furthest away Of all the planets,
has but very little to distinguish him this
month. He is an evening star, is still in the
constellation Of Taurus, and ls approaching the
sun
While Jupiter. the brilliant has faded away
and has passed the less conspicuous Mars on his
way TO the sun, the latter continues to shine
with his usual steadiness, coming into view as
the high coloring of these beautiful sunsets Of
early spring melt into more sober grays, then
to take upon themselves the somber hues Of
night.
Ever since Saturn's opposition ON the 29th Of
March he has been an evening star and has
already begun to prove an attractive feature in
the evening sky, as he is to be found aiming
there soon after sunset, and Is in the best posi-
ton for observation that he will be for the year.
His rings are now slowly opening and will con-
| tinue to do so until about the close Of the CEN
fury, when they will be open to the widest ex-
tent, the northern side being illuminated. After
seven or eight years the rings will again disap-
pear, and the circuit will be completed about
1915. The southern side will then be illumi-
mated, and the planet will be in its brightest
aspect