Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-01

BtGTS WHICH nave disappeared ID Ailaii,
the Eagle. Vega has been brought so near
to the horizon in the northwest that 1t
now shines with only a feeble light, while
Capella its rival in brilliancy, being very
nearly on the opposite side of the celestial
pole has gained by the movement and is
now the brightest star visible.
It may not be amiss to say here, paren-
thetically, that this change In the aspect
of the heavens, effected in one month BY
the earths revolution in its orbit, is pre-
cisely the same that takes place, in con-
sequence of it's rotation on its axis, in the
space Of two hours-one-twelfth of day.
The planisphere, set for O'Clock this
evening, represents as well the aspect or
the heavens at IL o'clock month ago, and
at o'clock a month hence.
We will take Capella as our point or de-
parture in survey of the eastern quarter
of the heavens. This star viii be FOUND AZ
0 o'clock tonight in the northeast at about
three-fifths OF the distance from the hori-
zon to the zenith. 1t Will easily pc recos-
nized from its great brilliancy Inc name
"Capella" signifies a she goat. The star
Is in the left shoulder Of the Charioteer
(Auriga) and also in the body of the Goat
which he is represented as carrying III hI0
left arm. The right shoulder OF the Ihet
ioteer is marked by star OF the second
magnitude, now situated directly beneath
Capella His head, marked by a star or the
third magnitude. is toward the north. mn
feet are toward the south, the rlGht 1907
resting on the tip of the northern horn OF
the Bull-the more northerly OF the pair OF
sec ond magnitude stars seen midway De
tween Capella and Betelgeuse. Inc con-
stellation contains NUMBER OF STARS %
the third and fourth magnitudes, ana Win
the hints above given one will have niue
difficulty in making out the figure TO whch
the constellation probably owes lts origin
1t is a point worth noting that the two
Of Anriga OF the
same magnitudes and at the same distance
apart as those in the shoulders Oh ofioh'
although in reversed positions. AGAIN.
these two sets of shoulder ornaments ure
at the angles of long marrow paralielo.
gram. lying north and south, the length OF
which is lust FIVE times Its breadth. Inc
diagonals of this parallelogram 1nterSect
one another at the star FL Nath, or BETA
Tauri-the tip of the northern norm OF tAe
Bull and the right foot or Aurlsa.
A Famous Constellation.
To the right OF Capella, a little south or
east and Mt about the same altitude as
Capella, is Aldebaran, popularity known as
tho "RuIps Eve" 1t is an average star or
the first magnitude and is of distinctly
reddish color, presenting marked contrast
with the white Capella 1t is at the same
distance as that star from FL Nath, and to
render its Identification still more certain,
It is at one corner of a V-shaped cluster of
small stars, known as the Hyades. Inc
Hyades are in the Bulls head. The Plei-
AIDES now seen directly above them, are In
his shoulder His long horns extend west
ward, their tips being the two conspicuous
stars already pointed out, midway between
Capella and Betelgeuse. The Bull consists
of only head shoulders and horns. his body
being according to fable, below the waves.
for this is said to be the Identical bull
which bore Europa from Phoenicia to the
shores of Crete.
PaIou. Aldaharan Ia the constellation Or
ion, containing the two brilliant stars Betel-
geuse and -Rigel, the one In the rlght
shoulder, the other in the left foot OBJ
serve the difference in the colors of these
two stars Betelgeuse somewhat resembles
Aldebaran. Rigel is blush white. The
star in the left shoulder OF Orion fs Bella
trix. 1t is of the second magnitude. Saiph,
in the right knee, is of the third magnitude.
The head of the constellation is a little tri-
angle of small stars, which forms very
pretty object for the opera glass. The
three stars in the belt-known as the
Three Kings" or as Jacobs Staff or, in
connection with fourth star, In the handle
of the sword, as the "Yard-L' are all of
the same brilliancy and are of the second
magnitude.
This striking group of brilliant stars is
probably the most generally known of all
the consultations, with the possible eXcep-
ton of the Great Dipper of the north. Its
mention by Homer and in the Book of Job
is evidence that 1t had attracted attention
at a very early period. The name Orion
has come down to us from the Greeks. 1t
is thought, however, not to be a Greek
name and this circumstance also would in
dictate a high antiquity for the constella-
ton. Although the group has usually been
fancied to resemble a human being, 1T has
also been likened to other objects. One of
its ancient Greek names was the Burs
Hide a name obviously due to it's general
resemblance to the outspread skin of an
animal.
The Southern Sky.
Beneath Orion, Sirius, the "Dog-Star,"
has risen, but is still too low to be seen
WELL The Three Kings" lie almost exact
ly midway between this star and Aide
baran. They range, too, very nearly in
line with Sirius and thus serve as one
ready means Of identifying that star.
At about the same altitude as the Dog
Star, In the exact east, Is Procyon, the
Smaller Dog (Canis MINOR. This star may
always be found readily, when above the
horizon, from its position at one angle of
large eouilateral triangle Of which the two