Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-06

most within the arc whose limits are
bounded by the horns of the crescent
moon. There are two planets I'm opposi-
ton with the sun this monih-the first.
Saturn. on the 9Th. and the second, IRA
nus on the 18th. the day Of the new
moon. Saturn has for some time been
a conspicuously beautiful object In the
evening skies. as his size readily dis
tlnguishes him from the other brilliants
and his serene appearance makes MIN
a very welcome object for us TO look
upon. Saturn was the most distant
planet known 10 the ancients IL re-
wolves In an orbit far outside the other
ancient planets and until the discovery
OF Uranus a century ago the orbit Of
Saturn might well be regarded as the
frontier Of the solar system. The planet
was indeed an object worthy TO occupy
a position so distinguished.
But We now know that the mighty orbit
Of Saturn does not extend TO the frontiers
OF the solar system: splendid discovery
leading TO one sim more splendid. has
vastly extended the boundary by reveal
ing two mighty planets revolving I'm dim
telescope distance, far outside the path
Of Saturn. The objects have not the
beatty OF Saturn; they are much less bril-
lianty attended: they are, indeed. in
no sense telescope pictures, yet these
outer planets awaken an interest Of
most special and remarkable kind The
discovery Of each is n classical event I'm
the history Of astronomy, and the opinion
has been maintained, and perhaps not
without good reason, that the discovery
of Neptune, the more remote Of the two
is the greatest achievement in astronomy
made since the time Of Newton. Uranus,
one Of the two planets above re-
ferred to. rises in opposition to the sun
on the 18th, and after that remains an
evening star until the middle OF Novem-
Der. When Herschel discovered IRA
nus. George III. was on the throne Of
England, and, out Of compliment to his
Majesty, the great astronomer gave the
name of Georgium S.dus to the planet
and So for a brief while, was the stranger
known. The Continental astronomers
however, were not willing 20 accept this
designation: all the other planets were
named after ancient divnities and It
was thought that the King OF England
would seem oddly associated with Jupl-
ter and Saturn; perhaps, also. they con-
sidered that the British dominiOns. on
which the sun never sets. were already
quite large enough, without further ex-
tendslon TO the celestial regions.
Accordingly. a consultation was held.
the result Of which was that George
III had 10 step down from the plane
tary throne. and the planet was baptized
Uranus, the name, which. by universal
consent, II now bears. Neptune is the
other planet referred TO a playing such
n wonderful part I'm the science OF as
tr0nomy and in our monthly annals he
plays rather too unimportant n part TO
admit OF our fully realizing how really
remarkable a body II is. or course, when
Al
with mathematical calculations. found the
planet. IL appeared 10 be a star. as all
such planets do: but that II was not n
star was speedily proved by the two
tests that are infallible indications OF a
planet First. the body was 80 moving
that its position with respect TO the adj
jacent stars was constantly changing.
Then, when a strong magnlfying power
was placed on the telescope. the little
object was seen not 20 be a mere star
like point, but TO expand into the little
disk. which shows us We are not looking
at a distant sun. but at a world Ike our
own. This wonder Of the century
wanders round on the outskirts OF our
solar system, requiring for each Journey
a period Of no less than 165 years. The
circle thus described has a radius thirty
times as great as that OF the earth's
track Venus Is drawing gradually in to-
ward the sun. and for the next few
months she will be far less conspicuous
than she has lately been to early morn
ing risers. She rises only an bOur and
ten minutes ahead OF the sun. which time.
before the month closes. will be reduced
10 less than an hour. She is 20 be found
i'm the constellation Of the Fishes, where
she was probably sporting in the waves
when, under the name OF Aphr0dite, she
81 he
Mercury and Neptune are I'm conjunction
on the 18th, just as the former about
reaches the eastern end Of his swing
around the circle. The planet is in con-
junction with the tWo-days' odd moon
this month, so We have him numbered
among the evening stars. Those who
have bright eyes can see Mercury about
the 18th, shining with a whtish color.
a little 20 the right Of the sunset point.
as soon az the brilliant glow fades
enough to bring the diamond points into
prominence We shall not again be able
to see him I'm that general locality until
about the middle OF September. so II
behOOves those interested to look early
and often while they have "a chance.
Mars is still a morning star; he IS
growing in size and reasserting his conse-
quence In the midst OF the less important
stars that surround him. lie is to be
found I'm the group OF the Water-bearer,
where his bright. rudy face admits OF
his being easily distinguished. Mars has
two satellites-Deimos and Phobos, names
given in honor of the two personages
whose duties, according 10 Homer, were
to attend on the god Mars and 20 yoke
his steeds These moons Of Mars are
much nearer the planet than our moon
IS to US, and they are also much smaller
than our satellite. They shine solely In
consequence OF the sunlight which falls
upon them, and are, in other words, light
ed lust as we are or as Mars himself.
Jupiter remains an evening star, and
will continue as such until August. when
he passes into the ranks OF the morning
sinners. and we shall not until the new
wear has been some time with US again
number him among the evening stars.
He will not fade from view entirely until
after Venus joins the evening group,
but the two planets Will not be visible
for comparison at the time. as Venus
Will not have emerged from the suns
overpowering influence sufficiently 10 dis
close to our eyes her charming individual
ity. The Constellation OF the Crab has
now the honor Of containing the Giant
Planet but the stars I'm this section OF
the sky form too unimportant setting
for the wonderfully brilliant Jupiter.