Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-07

ferred to above is Alpha Persei, nearly at
| the center of the group Of third and fourth
magnitude stars, which form the body of
Perseus. On the southern side of line
| from this star to Gamma Andromedae,
forming with these two stars nearly right
angled triangle. is third star of the sec
ond magnitude-Algol, in the head of Me-
drsa, which Perseus carries in his left
hand.
Algol Is a very interesting variable star.
Ordinarily, it is Of the second magnitude,
as will be found to be the case tomorrow
night. But at intervals of a little under
three days it undergoes very noticeable
! change of brilliancy, descending in the
| space Of about four hours to the fourth
magnitude and as quickly recovering its
usual brightness.
This singular behavior of the star, to
which, doubtless. it owes its name, Algol
| CAL Ghoul, the Demon) Is completely
| counted for on the superstition that 1T is
attended by dark companion, or satellite,
which. passing periodically between the
| bright star and us. intercep.s a portion of
its light. A minimum of Algol will occur
at IL pm. on the 10Th of this month and
| another at pm. on the 22d-two occur
rences which will repay watching for.
Variable Star.
Another remarkable variable star-one
| of the most remarkable, owing to the great
| range of its variability--is the star Omi
| cron, better known as Mira, the Wonder
| full, in the constellation Cetus. This star
is about to give us an exhibition of it's &C.
| centricities, under circumstances peculiarly
| favorable for observation, and no one
| should miss this opportunity of forming its
| acquaintance.
| The popularity of the star is this: Ordi
narily it is telescope star. away below
the limit of the naked eye vision. being.
when at Its faintest of only the tenth
| magnitude. Occasionally it takes a freak
and begins to brighten slowly, and after
| a while 1T becomes visible to the naked
l nfuht
| weeks longer. when it attains maximum
| of brilliancy, which is usually that of
star of the second or third magnitude. 1t
| may remain at this point Of brilliancy for
a week or fortnight, and then 1t begins
| to wane and at the end of about three
months it is again beyond the reach of the
] naked eye.
| Two comets both belonging to the Jovian
| family of short eriod comets, are now pay
! ing visits and both are before us as we
| face the south at pm, but neither is
visible except through large telescope.
| Swift's comet, discovered by Prof. Lewis
Swift on the 21st of last August, is in the
| constellation Pisces, about midway between
| the pair of stars in the head of Aries and
the tail of Cetus. Faye's comet discovered
in 1913. and now making its seventh return,
| Its period being about seven and half
years, is in Aquarius, midway between the
third magnitude star which marks the left
| shoulder of the Waterman and the pair in
the tail of Capricorn. 1t was first sighted
| on the occasion of this return at the Nice
| observatory on the 18th Of September last.
| The Planets.
With the exception of Jupiter and Nep-
| tune the planets are now all morning stars,
| rising between midnight and sunrise. After
| the Goth Mecury will be an evening star,
| but it will not become visible during this
| month.
| Jupiter now rises at about Q o'clock and is
| already in a position to be an object of in
| terest to the possessor of a telescope.
| Venus is still splendid morning star, but
| has passed it's greatest brilliancy for this
| season.
| On the 2lst, at S pm, Washington mean
| time, the sun will enter Capricorn and win
| ter will begin.