Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-02

W." ~ us, therefore, to lden-
tify these stars Enthusiastically.
To find Arcturus face the east-hold the
planisphere with the letter at the bot
tom. The star will be seen-at o'clock-a
little to your right at about three-f ifths of
the distance from the horizon to the zenith.
1t is yellow star and is the brightest now
above the horizon. Still farther to the
right and at a lower altitude is Spica, the
Wheat Ear, the brightest star in Virgo 1t
is white star, of about the average first
magnitude. Dcneboa, in the tail of Leo
will now be found readily from its relation
to the two stars just named, with which it
forms a large equlateral triangle. This
star is of the second magnitude. To make
sure Of its identity note that 1t marks the
southeastern corner of quite noticeable
rectangular figure of about the size of the
bowl OF the Great Dipper. Cor Carroll.
Charles Heart, is the principal star in the
Canes Venatici. or Hunting Dogs, a constel-
lation Of no particular attraction for the or
binary star gazer, but which contains one
Of the most splendid of those mysterious
nebulae that are now engaging SO much of
the attention of astronomers. The star
named Is Of only the third magnitude, but
standing at equal distances from Arcturus
and Denebola and completing the Diamond
1T will easily be identified. Cor Carroll is a
wide double star, consisting of two white
and is fine object for small telescope
While looking for Spica you will see the
planet Saturn. shining as deep yellow
star of the first magnitude. 1t is in the
southeast, at lower altitude than Spica
with which and Arcturus it forms a large
right-angled triangle. Saturn is nearly
within the grasp of the Scorpions claws.
which may be seen protruding above the
horizon. Antares, the Scorpions Heart, a
decidedly red star hardly up to the first
magnitude, is also above the horizon at
O'Clock, but hardly high enough to be vis1-
BILE. Below Saturn and fairly within the
embrace of the claws Is the planet Uranus;
but 1t is invisible save to the kcenest eyes,
and is not now in a good position to be
found readily even with an opera glass.
Always Above the Horizon.
Tho three celestial serpents are now
wholly or in part above the horizon. To
the right of the Pole Star, curving partly
around 1t. is Draco, the Dragon, one Of
those circumpolar consultations which are
always above the horizon, though con-
tinually shifting their position with refer
ence to the Pole Star. about which they
swing. With the aid of the planisphere the
stars which form this constellation can
easily be identified. The Dragons head is
its most conspicuous part. The two fam
ing eyes" both stars of the second mag
nitude, will be found at 8 o'clock In the
northeast, at about the altitude of the
Pole Star. To the left of this pair of stars
ore Of the fourth. the four stars forming
diamond-shaped figure, which is easy
to recognize when once noted. The fourth
magnitude star does not belong however
cules.
10 find the Serpent proper, face the east
Directly in front of you, about midway be-
tween the horizon and the zenith, will be
seen the Northern Crown. To the right Of
the Crown and little lower. than it is a
neat little triangle. formed by two stars
OF the third magnitude and one of the
fourth. This is the Serpents head, the
fainter one the tongue. The head having
been found, the tortuous body can he
traced with the aid of the planispherc un-
til 1t disappears below the horizon. In an
other month we shall be able to see at o
O'Clock the whole Of the Serpent, and also
the Serpent Holder, Ophiuchus, who Is now
only in part above the horizon
The Hydra Is remarkable chiefly for its
enormous length. 1t Is poorly marked with
stars. Its head. however, is quite notice.
able figure. 1t is marked by short curved
line OF three stars, one Of the third, and
two of the fourth magnitude, about mid
way from Regulus. in Leo, to Procyon.
the bright yellow star now to be seen low
In the west: This head is a very pretty
out quite nest Of stars here. Cor Hydrae
the Hydra's Heart, although of only the
second magnitude, is very conspicuous from
its lonely situation. 1t is now directly be-
HrOcvOn
1t forms large nearly right-angled tri-
angle The Arabic name Of this star is
Alphard, which signifies the Solitary One.
The Brilliant Bear Warden.
The Crater, or Cup. and the Crow, which
stand on the Hydra's back, and are now at
D o'clock directly SOUTH will be found
readily. The stars in both are rather faint,
the brightest being of only the third mag
n1tude, but the figure shown on the MA nj
sphere can easily be made out. The BODY of
the hydra terminates with a fourth mag
nltude star, now directly beneath Spica A
little farther to the east is a cluster of
sixth magnitude stars. which. if only the
hydra were rattlesnake, would form an
eAceuent tlp to its tail. In some charts,
lnoeed, these stars are included in the
hydra, and here stands on the very tail of
TINS much supporting constellation the Moe
turnal Owl.
or the stars which we have Just passed
In review. Arcturus is the most Interesting,
not merely because Of Its great brilliancy,