The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-04-09
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the SKIES DURING APRIL.

The Physical Condition Of the Moon and
the Non-Esistencs OF an Atmosphere
The Piane,s-Ths Circumpol.r Constei-
Iations.
For The Caucasian
The surface Of the moon like that OF
our earth is diversified by hills and
plains, mountains and valleys. The
plains on the moon were once thought
To be lakes or oceans, but in the clearer
lights OF science they are now regarded
as level tracts Of land. Indeed, it is
now thought that there is no water at
all on the moon, and that she does not
possess vegetable or animal life Of any
KIND; but that desOlatiOn and death
like silence reigns supreme. That there
are mountains on the moon has been
proven by the most indisputable evil
dence. For instance: when she is in
creasing, certain places on her surface
are Illuminated sooner than the sur
rounding regions, appearing like
bright spots within the dark portions
OF her surface; and then after the ter
minatOr (the terminatOr is the line
which separates the dark from the en-
lightened portions of the moons sur
face has passed over these bright spots
they cast their shadows upon the en-
lightened portions of her surface Op-
pOsite to the sun. These shadows cor
respond in shape to the form Of the
mountain or mountains which cast
them.
There is one remarkable feature in
the moons surface which bears no re-
semblance to anything to be seen on
the earth. These are the great circu-
lar cavities which appear on every
part of the surface.
Some OF these tremendous caVerns
are about forty miles in diameter and
four miles deep. 1t is now generally
conceded that the moon has but very
little, II any, atmosphere; and in sup
port "f this theory, several very strong
reasons can be advanced. For instance
there are no indications of twilight, a
phenomenon that implies the presence
of an atmosphere. For if she had q
twilight there would be a gradual
transition from the light to the dark
portions; no such transition occurs or
her surface, but there is a well-defined
line between the light and dark por-
lions.
1t is an interesting contemplation
for us to try to realize how the earth
would appear rs viewed from the
moon.
The surface of the earth would ap-
pear about thirteen times as large a.
that OF the moon viewed from the
earth. This fact would add immensely
to the beauty of the starry heavens as
viewed from our faithful lunar COM
pani0n.
however, We must not suppose that
because the earth appears so large that
her physical features become more
distinct. Indeed, it is just otherwise
for owing to the dense atmosphere of
The earth, it would render a clear view
Of her surface a matter of great diff
Guilty, II not Of absolute impOssibility.
Of the planets, Mercury, Mars and
enuS are now too near the sun for
favorable observation.
Saturn rises about O'clock in the
evening and shines the rest Of the
night. This planet now adds lustre
to the constellation Libra, in which it
is situated. This constellation may
be distinguished by means of four of
us principal stars, forming q quad
figure, lying northeast and
and having its upper and
Ower corner almost in line running
north and south.
Looking almost directly overhead
soon after sunset, we behold the royal
planet, Jupiter, shedding a light So
brilliant that none can mistake him.
de is now situated in the constellation,
lancer, and sets about o'clock in the
morning. In one or two previous ar
'icles We have spoken at some length
u mber of the various consteIla-
ions OF the heavens; but have not
ard as much about the circumpolar
as they probably de-
erve. BY circumpOlar consultations
We mean those consultations which
re strung in a circle around the north
tar and never set. We will first take
Up Ursa Major, The Great Bear. Look
ng skyward about 9 O'Clock in the
'venings OF this month, we behold
his great constellation high up in
he heavens. 1t is easily distinguished
" means Of a cluster of seven bright
tars, forming what is called the Dip
,er. In some countries it is called
;harles' Vain, or Wagon. The Dip
'er which IS now near the meridian
bove the north star, lies with its bot
ON towards us and its handle on the
light. Climbing up behind the Great
scar IS Draco, The Dragon, which
With its many cOntOrtiOns OCCUPIES q
arge space in the polar regions;
While north of DracO is situated
,irsa Minor, The Little Bear. This
which contains but few
'!Omlnent stars, is, however. much
distinguished because Of the advant-
ges which its position in the heavens
1fords to surveying and navigation.
Is principal star is SO near the true
'oie OF the heavens, that it has been
nOwn for several thousand years as
ne north Polar star. The seven prin-
lpai stars in this constellation form
figure very much like The Dipper
q the Great Bear; but the Dipper in
ms cor stellatiOn is reversed and only
bout One-half as large as The Dipper
n the Great Bear. Below the north
tar we see Cepheus and Cassiopeia.
Cepheus contains no star above the
bird ma gnitude.
CasSlopeia is nearly at the same dis
ance from the north star AZ the Great
'ear and is easily distinguished by
bird magnit ldes in the form of the
.tter w.
This constellation is otherwise MEM
rabie sS having once contained a very
right star which subsequently disap-
cared. 1t may not be amiss to make
remark or two here upon the extra
ruinary appearances of this star.
ABOUT three hundred years ago this
TAR all at once shown out with great
pler'dor. 1t was brighter than any
Janet aud could be seen at noOnday.
its light. which was at first of a daz-
ing whiteness, turned into q reddish
elbow and then into an ashy pa leness
which light it expired after being
'sible for about sixteen months.
w. A. GATHRIaHr.
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