Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-01
THE FEBRUARY HEAVENS.
| The Planets and the Zodiacal Light-Se ven
Conjunc.ions During the Month.

Planets ana
Conjunc:ions During the Month.
Aside from the knowledge that we are gradu-
ally being brought nearer the time OF bright
blue skies and warmer weather, says a writer in
the New York Times the month Of February
has no very particular interest to us from an
astronomical standpoint, for with the exception
of the zodiacal light that about this time makes
its appearance in the western horizon, there
are few features of attractiveness.
There are seven coniunctions in which the
moon and the planets figure in the events of
February. two of which are exceedingly close
and. weather conditions proving favorable, will
be attractive celestial pictures. The series opens
on the 5th with fairly close meeting between
the waning crescent and Saturn. but the hour
is.not favorable one for the amateur astrono-
mer. The day following the phase Of last
quarter Uranus and the moon are at their clos
est for the month. On the 14th Venus and Luna
exchange compliments. followed by Mercury
about four hours before the old moon gives
way to the new on the 10th. On the 10th
we have the prize tableau, in which the
father of men and gods will appear almost en-
closed in the arms OF our satellite, picture
well worth our standing out in the brisk. cool
evening to watch. The following evening Mars
is occulted, but as the planet Is SO much less
brilliant than Jupiter the impression upon our
senses will not equal that of the evening before.
these planets Mars received the first visit,
whereas this time Jupiter is first, which shows
us that the latter is now nearer the sun and has
passed the warrior. On the 23d. the day of
the quartering of the moon. Neptune is in con-
junction, but is almost five degrees to the south
ward.
Jupiter has only about two months left to
lord II over the evening planets, as he Will then
be in conjunction with the sun, and when he
reappears We shall see him shining in the east
just little before sunrise.
Venus has still three months to reign
queen of the early morning sky, although some
little time before the end of that term the dawn
will have so dinmed her brilliant light that we
shall no longer be able to find her with unaided
vision. Then, too. the beautiful planet is with
drawing from and becoming somewhat
smaller meanwhile.
Saturn's mellow light is again one of the at
fractions of the heavenly drama, and we find
tins son of Terra and Grams among the morn
ing stars. about six hours in advance of Venus
in the constellation of the Virgin. He is NOV
Ing along at q merry rate toward his position
In opposition with the sun, where we shall see
him two months from today at his largest and
in the most favorable position for observation.
He will then rise the sinks to rest and
Will be In plain sight throughout the night.
yeritable god who is satisfied with his own
comprehensive powers, according to the
ancient manner of expression.
Neptune closes the months events BY being
IL quadrattlre with the sun on the 26th. Three
days before he was in conjunction with the
moon at first quarter, so that he is on
the side of the sun opposite Uranus and almost
$50 degrees from that planet.
Mercury is now lost in the suns rays. and is
in superior con junction with that luminary on
the 10th, the day of new moon, which shows
that the three are grouped in a bunch.
Mars conjunction with the moon on the
night of the Goth is his most interesting
feature for the month. He is now getting so
very small that it is somewhat difficult to
! imagine that he was once clad in such gorg-
eous ralment and the observed OK all observers.