Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-05

Charles Heart-so named In memory of
Charles I Of Engiand-is about equidistant
from Arcturus and Deneb. its distance from
| them being. however. somewhat less than
their distance from each other. This is the
principal star in the Hunting Dogs tCanes
VenaticD. 1t is directly in line with Alioth-
the innermost Of the three stars in the Dip
OF only the third magnitude, is quite con-
spicuous from it's isolated position. Cor
Carroll is very pretty double star and is
fine object for q small telescope.
In the upper angle OF the Diamond of
Virgo at about one-fourth of the distance
from Cor Carroll TO Spica. is a rich sprin-
king Of faint stars, which form the constel-
lation Coma Berenices, Berenice's Hair
This very diffuse star cluster contains be-
tween forty and fifty stars visible TO the
naked eye. the most Of which are of the
fifth or sixth magnitude. An opera glass
will perform good service here; a large tel
escope shows that this little patch OF the
armament not only abounds in stars. but is
also exceptionally rich in nebulae. The con-
stellation is said to have been named by the
Astronomer Conon. in honor of Queen Bere
rice, the wife of one of the Ptolemies who
had sacrificed her hair to the goddess of
beauty, in fulillment OF a vow for her hus-
bands safe return from a military expedi-
ton.
The Northern Crown.
Another fine field for the opera glass in
this nelghborhood is the Northern Crown,
situated about cne-third Of the distance
from Arcturus to Vega, a little below a
straight line Joining them. The crown con-
sists Of five stars of the fourth and one Of
the second magnitude, so arranged as TO
form nearly complete oval figure. The
bright star is Alpheta. An ancient desig-
nation of IL was Margarita Coronae, Tie
Peari OF the Crown, a name which IN ne
dieyal times. when IL was the fashion TO
substitute saints for the old NEUROLOGICAL
characters in naming the constellation
led TO the calling OF this star ST. Margaret.
Serpents are easily traced among the
stars that it is rather surprising to ind
only three OF this class of monsters among
the old consultations. All three are now
wholly or in part above the horizon.
The Hydra, or Water Snake stretches its
enormous length across the southern quar-
ter OF the heavens. from a point midway
between Procyon and Regulus to a point
Directly beneath the star Spica- A dotted
nne on the planfsphere will assist in lrac-
ing IT. Its head is marked by a little curved
group of three stars. which will readily be
found. and which Will prove to be a very
pretty object for the opera glass. If the OBJ
this constellation, Cor Hydrae the Hydra's
Heart Is about one-fourth of the distance
from the head to the extremity of the tail.
=, Aithoash IT u OF only the second magnitude
II Is conspicuous from its loneliness, and
can hardly be mistaken. Note that il is be-
low Regulus. and In about the same dis
lance as that star from Procyon.
The Cap. Crow and Serpent.
The Cup Crater and the Crow (Coryus)
are TWO small consultations associated
with the Hydra, both standing upon his
BACK. They are now exactly In the south
they should easily be recognized with the
aid OF the figures given on the planispn ere
The Crow Is the more conspicuous or the
TWO. Its four brighter stars-the brightest
Of the third magnitude-form a LITTLE fra
pezium, or irregular square which is a
quite noticeable object. The Serpent proner
mas put just reared his head above the east
ern horizon. 1t Is marked by a little fri
angle of three stars-two of the third mac
nitude and one Of the fourth-a short dis
lance south Of the Crown, and about Tie
same same Instance as IT is from Arcturus. The
oppsr part OF the Serpents body is fairly
wen marked with stars; but after II masses
the equator some IMAGINATION is reou,re5
70 Follow Its windings toward the east, The
ser noner (Ophiuchus) is now only in
par, above the horizon: he will not come
talriy on the scene until another month.
we VIII now turn toward the north-in-
vertns The planisphere. to compare il with
the northern skies-we shall nnd tho
Dragon (Draco) in mid-heayens TO the r,obt
Oh the Pole star. The general course of this
tortuous constellation, which winds partly
around the Little Dipper. or Little Bear.
Sah readily De traced by a well-marked
line OF third magnitude stars; bur one pes
little tangled among the numerous coils
In its body. us depicted on a celestial chart
w mhe En- we reach the head, however, we are
on urn ground. The head is well marked
oy conspicuous pair of second magnitude
stars. on line between the bowl on tbe
Little Dipper and Vega. to which may be
added a third, less bright; the three fornn.ne
small triangle, with the fainter star AZ
its apex. These two bright stars appear 10
nave been formerly considered as the
Draeons eyes, but the modern chart maker
mas placed them in his crest.
The Planets.
Mercury will be a morning star until the
10th. and after that date an evening star
but t will not be visible during the month.
Venus Is now morning star and adorns
the eastern sky with nearly her greatest
splendor for two hours and more before
sunrise.
Mars also IL . morning star, rising be-
tween and 2 q. m. but he IL stili too far
away to be an object Of much interest.
Jupiter is still splendid evening star.
TAR exceeding In splendor q star of the first
close, and before y o'clock he is below the
western horizon. ~
Saturn is now the rcignine planets in
the very height OF his season. having been
IN oppositlon TO the sun on the 18th OF last
month. His position, about four degrees
northward OF Spica, and nearly on line
between that star and Arcturus, is shown
on on Inc inc p.anispnere. The planet appears as
II n
tude. and no one who will look for II at the
point Indicated can fail to recognize II, II
Is now acknowledgement westward
among the stars. This movement, which
Will continue until June % can readily be
observed by noting the planets change OF
position with relation to Spica and Arc
turus. The rings are now well open" pre-
senting to US their northern side and the
planet makes fine show In a telescope.
Uranus is only a short distance to the
eastward of Saturn. and was in opposition
on the Sd OF this month. 1t is now in such
position as to be easily pointed out. and
no one who is interested in the planets
should miss this rare opportunity of seeing
II The stars Alpha and Beta Iibrae
marked OH the planisphere a and bl.
though OF only the second magnitude. can
easily be found, II one will note their rela
ton to the three stars, Spica, Antares and
Arcturus. The planet, which, like Saturn.
Is now retrograding, will be found tonight
about one-fourth Of q degree-oue-half of
the apparent diameter of the moon-to the
right or west OF Alpha Llbrae. A Keen
sighted person should be able to see II with
the naked eye. An opera glass, at any
rate, shows IT distinctly.
Neptune. to complete the list of the plan
cts, is about an hour east OF Jupiter, and Is
below the horizon at y. m.
Stfll on the Wing.
From Life.
Bridget. how are those clothes getting
&ko&