Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-01
other angles are marked by Sirius and Be-


telgeuse.
Low in the southwest is Fomalhaut, in
the Southern Fish. Fomalhaut Is hardly
up to the full first magnitude. 1t never at
tains for us an altitude Of more than 20 de-
grees, and it is chiefly conspicuous from
the general poverty of this region in stars
OF any considerable brilliancy.
A dotted line on the planisphere traces
an ancient name of the River Pc. Begin
ming at the star Rigel this celestial river
weEds its course toward the west, until II
reaches the constellation Cetus, the Whale
Then 1t turns southwark, then eastward.
then southwark again, and 1t finally dis
appears below the horizon. 1t ends, as 1t
began, with star Of the first magnitude
Achernar, one Of the south circump )lar
constellation. having no brilliants along its
course, the Eridanus Is we'll marked with
stars of the third and fourth magnitudes
and, with the aid Of a chart, 1t can be fol-
lowed easily.
Cetus, the Whale, or Sea Monster, Is one
Of the mystifying consultations. 1t is
fairly well marked with stars-two OF the
second, seven Of the third. and thirteen OF
the fourth magnitude-but no imagination
is powerful enough to see among them the
hideous monster depicted on the chart. The
ancient whale was quite unlike the modern
species, II this is 1t. Cetus Is chiefly inter-
Wonderful. A temperance Of this inter-
esting star, which is usually invisible to
the naked eye, Is due in a month or So
and IT may be WE'LL therefore, to give its
position with some attempt at precision.
Remarkable of Vnriables.
Menkar. in the head Of the Monster. and
Deneb Kaitos. in it's tall both Of the sec
ord magnitude, can easily be found py
noting their position on line from Aide
baran to F'omalhaut. Between these two
stars. about one-third of the distance from
.k.,k,.
irregular square. formed by four stars Of
the third magnitude. The star at the east
ern corner of this figure is Baten Kaitos.
To the right of Menkar and at about five
degrees from 1t is another star Of the
third magnitude, Gamma Ceti. Mira lies
almost exactly midway between this star
and Baten kaitoS.
Mira is one of the most remarkable of
yariables-remarkable for the great range
of it's variability and for its only approx
mate regularity. Ordinarily 1t is a star OF
about the tenth magnitude, far below the
limits of the naked eye But occasionally
it takes a freak and begins to brighten.
After while 1t becomes visible to the
naked eye. and in sbout forty days there
after II attains its greatest briliancy.
which is usually that of a star of about
the second magnitude. Then 1t begins to
Wsne, and in about three months II Is
again lost to view. Mira runs the cycle of
it's changes in an average period OF eleven
months, although there IS a considerable
irregularity in its period and also in its
brilliancy when at it's brightest In some
years 1t has hardly attained to the third
magnitude before 1t began to wane, and
occasionally IT has failed altogether to
put in it's expected appearance.
The last maximum" of Mira occurred
in March last. Its visibility began In Feb
ruary. Its next temperance may be look
ed for in the latter part of this month or
the early part of January. 1t can be seen
t.yit n OILS
with the naked eye. Those who care to
be witnesses of this highly interesting
phenomenon had best begin their search
for the star at once. With an opera glass
In the spot above Indicated. and 1t Is only
by noting, or, better, marping these stars
carefully that the variable can be recog-
rized at Its first appearance.
The Planet.
Mercury, since it's transit across the sun
on the 10th of last month, has been a
morning star. 1t will continue to be
morning star throughout the month. Its
greatest elongatlon from the sun west was
on the 27th of last month. 1t is now draw
ing in toward the sun and is no longer
visible.
Venus has become an evening star, but
Is still close be side the sun. Its superior
conjunction with the sun occurred on the
30th of last month.
Mars continues to be a splendid evening
star, but has perceptibly lost brilliancy
since we passed him on the Goth of Octo-
ber The most favorable time for observ-
ing this planet has gone by, but the more
persistent of the astronomers will con-
tinue to scrutinize its features for two
months or more to come.
The situation of Mars this year has been
unusually favorable for Observing and
much interesting matter has been gathered
relating to it's mountain ranges, its So
called seas and canals and its topog
raphy generally. 1t looks as though we
might, at no very distant day. form q pref
ty intimate acquaintance with this neigh
Dor of the earth.
Jupiter has come around into a position
to claim his share Of the public attention.
This planet is now a magnificent evening
star. its brilliant white light contrasting
strikingly with the ruddy light of Mars.
The opposition of Jupiter to the sun, when
he will be at his brightest, will occur on
the 22d Of this month.
Saturn and Uranus are both morning
stars but are too near the sun to be WISH
ble The position of Neptune, now an
evening star, is marked on the planisphere.
On the Dist of the month, at pm, Wash
ington mean time the sun will enter Capri
corn and the tropical winter will begin.