Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-02

what farther from Fomalhaut in the south
west, is conspicuous pair of stars, one of
the second and one Of the third magnitude.
which mark the head of Capricorn The
upper of these two stars is wide double
easily separated with an opera glass and a
very pretty object for that instrument At
about one-third of the distance from this
pair of stars to Deneb Kaitos and about
equally distant from them and Fomalhaut
Is second pair of nearly the same bright
ness, but farther apart, which marks the
tail Of Capricorn. This constellation, the
Goat-Fish, can be located very readily by
means of these two pairs of stars, but it is
or Little interest, except as one of the zodi-
acai considerations. being very poor in stars.
Between Capricorn and Cetus and above
the Southern Fish, lies-or rather stands.
in most cramped position as depicted on
chart-Aquarius, the Waterman, also
zodiacal constellation. The shoulders of
the Waterman are marked by two stars of
the second magnitude, about ten degrees
apart-the distance across the bowl of the
Great Dipper-which range very nearly
with the pair in the head of Capricorn
About ten degrees above the star in the
right shoulder-Alpha Aquarii--is Epsilon
Pegasi, second-magnitude star in the
nose of Pegasus. This and the two Shout
der stars form a right-anged triangle with
two equal sides. which is a useful land
hidi LII tllS TtSlOn OF the heavens. About
five degrees to the left of Alpha Aquarii is
a pretty little Y-shaped cluster of fourth
magnitude stars. which forms the Water
mans ever. From it is supposed to issue
a stream of water, which curves down.
warl, traceaple by a stream of faint stars,
to the mouth of the Southern Fish
The Great Whale or Sea Monster Cetus,
is now fairly above the horizon. covering a
large area of the southeastern sky. Its
tail has already been pointed out Its head
marked by the star Menkar, is very nearly
III the east. The constellation contains a
number or conspicuous stars, notably a
group of four in the head, and a large ira
pezium of third-magnitude stars at two
thirds of the distance from these to the
tail. but as whole Cetus is not striking
constellation, and is remarkable chiefly for
It's vast size, being fifty degrees in length
by twenty in breadth.
In the East.
In the east We shah find Aries, An
dromeda and Pegasus at considerably
greater altitude tonight than when we ex-
amined them month ago. Below Aries,
Taurus, the great celestial Bull, is now ris-
ing. The Pleiades, in his shoulder. are
about ten degrees high, and Aldebaran and
the Hyades are also above the horizon,
though too low to be visible.
In the southwest the Scorpion and Ophiu
chus have set, and Sagittarius will soon
follow. The Eagle, containing the bright
star Affair, is midway between the horizon
ana the zenith. Above and to the left OF
the Eagle is the Dolphin, better known as
Jobs Coffin, one Of the prettiest of the
small consultations.
The Swan has now passed the zenith and
Is diving toward the western horizon, fol-
lowing very nearly the course of the Milky
Way, In which it lies. Below and little to
the right of the Swan is the Tyre, whose
splendid star, Vega, now shines with it's
run glory. Below the Tyre is Hercules the
nj fha
the northwest. is the Northern Crown.
Racing the north we shall find the Great
Bear (Ursa MajoD in it's lowest position,
wallowing in the horizon directly beneath
the Pole Star. In the northeast, only in
part above the horizon, is Auriga the
Wagner, in whose left shoulder stands
Capella, the rival in splendor of Vega and
Arcturus. Above Auriga stands Perseus,
swinging in his left hand the frightful
Gorgon's head. marked by the variable star
Algol, the Blinking Demon" Still higher
in the northeast sits. Cassiopeia the Lady
in Her Chair. To the left of Cassiopeia-
the observers left-and directly above the
Pole Star. stands her consort. Cepheus. and
still farther to the left. between Cepheus
and the northwestern horizon, are the
Dragon and the Little Bear.
The most conspicuous part of the Great
Bear is the familiar Great Dipper, or the
Plow. as our English cousins prefer to call
this striking group Of seven stars Every
one knows that the Dipper is continually
changing its position with respect to the
Pole Star, being sometimes to the right OF
1t, in the northeast; sometimes to the left
in the northwest; sometimes above Ii, and
sometimes below 1t. as is the case tonight
This continual shifting of its position is
well calculated to confuse the novice in
star-gazing, and. in fact, the writer fire.
quently receives letters from persons SEEK
ing information regarding this behavior of
the Dipper. The question asked is, Does
the Dipper really change its position among
the stars or can the appearance be account
ed for by the earth's rotation on it's axis?"
EASILY Accounted For.
It can be accounted fer by the earth's
rotation on its axis. To present this fact
graphically. q circle has been drawn o the
planisphere about the Pole Star as GEN.
ter. which those whose ideas upon the Dips
per's movement are In any way misty are
invited to experiment with. Let II be said.
hrst, that the Pole Star stands very near
enc Of two points In the heavens toward