Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-04-13
THE APRIL PERMANENT.
Phenomena of the Heavens in the Close
Future.

OF more than usual consequence. The
event Of greatest moment and most
attractive to the scientist is the tota
eclipse OF the sun on the 10Th and 16tl
Of the month. While we are not per
mitted, says the New York Times, to see
the eclipse in this latitude, it occurs
under circumstances which make its
observation peculiarly promising to sci
ence. The phenomenon known as the
full occurs twice in April. For a
short month to contain five phases is
somewhat remarkable. The first of the
month brought us a full moon, and the
last will duplicate it, but the latter be
ing somewhat further south will prob
ably seem warmer and nearer to us.
The 9th has the phase of last quarter,
and AprifS new moon does not come
until the 10th.
The coincidence between the day of
the total eclipse and that of new moon
will possibly strike those most interest
ed in regarding the heavens, as it is
only when the moon comes between the
sun and the earth that an eclipse can
occur. New moon always takes place
when the moon is on the side Of the
earth nearer the sun, as full moon can
only happen when the moon is on the
side of the earth opposite the sun, facts
which for convenience it would be well
to bear in mind.
There is conjunction between moon
and planet eight times during April,
the first being with Uranus week
ago, and the last with the same planet,
Just as the month is about to
close. On the 18th comes Mercury's
turn, then Venus, two days later, which
is the closest for the month; Jupiter
comes the following day, and on the
18th Neptune and the growing crescent
are at their closest. Mars receives a
visit Oh the 10Th and Saturn on the
9th about midnight This last will
make the best spectacular showing, for,
while the moon is somewhat too bright,
it will be interesting to see the two
bodies so close together, besides which
the majority of the other conjunctions
are hidden from our view.
Were we really permitted to see
Uranus as plainly as we sec Venus,
Jupiter, or even Saturn, the place of
most distinction among the planets for
April would have to be awarded to this
far-distant heavenly body. He is now,
to be sure, fairly visible to the naked
eye, shining as a star of the sixth mag
nitude about eighteen degrees south
east of the bright star Spica, in the
constellation of the Virgin. Unless one
were to bring a telescope to aid his
natural vision, he could hardly distin-
guish the planet from the host of stars
of equal brilliancy that surround him.
With that aid however, the delicate
green color and steady light Of the
planet make him fairly conspicuous in
his setting of twinIerS.
What makes Uranus particularly de-
sewing of our interest this month is
the fact of his being in opposition with
the sun on the 2Sth, after which he
will be one of the galaxy of evening
stars.
We shall hardly have a glimpse of
either Venus or Jupiter during the
1i1OlJl VI AplU. Lie tNO UJC
in the long rays Of gold that shoot with
tremendous beauty from the sun and
effectually pale even the brilliant color
ing of the lustrous gems of the sky.
They have a little nesting of their
own on the 2Sth, the day following
that on which Jupiter is in conjunction
with the SUM- The two disks almost
touch, and were we only able to pene-
trate the dazzling sunlight, a picture
as rare and as beautiful as that eX
hibited 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, when
he will be almost ~ degrees away.
At this point he turns and approaches
the sun, with which he is in coriunc-
ton early in June, when he swings
around the eastern portion Of his route
once again to approach old Sol.
Neptune, the furthest away of all
the planets, has but very little to dis
tinguiSh him this month. He is an
evening star, is still in the constella-
ton of Taurus, and is approaching the
sun. He comes above the e,-Soern
horizon at about eleven o'clock in the
evening, but the hour is getting earlier
and earlier each succeeding night as
the planet gets nearer and nearer the
time of conjunction with the sui.
While Jupiter the brilliant, has fad
ed away and has passed the less con-
spicuous 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 them
selves the sombre hues of night. The
warlike planet and Luna have their
customary monthly meeting on the
10Th, but the fu1ling crescent passes
at somewhat too great distance for
an enjoyable scenic display.
Ever since Saturn's opposition on the
Doth of March he has been an evening
star, and has no doubt already begun
to prove an attractive feature in the
evening sky, as he is to be found shin
ing there soon after sunset, and is in
the best position for observation that
he will be for the year. His rings are
now slowly opening and will continue
to do so until about the close Of the
century. when they will be open to
their widest extent, the northern side
being illuminated After seven or
eight years the rings will agin dis
appear, and the circuit will be com