Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02

Between these two stars and nearly over
head are Hercules and the Northern Crown
In the south may be seen the sparkling
| array of stars which form the Scorpion,
Sagtttarius and the lower part of Ophi
uchus. In the west Leo is setting. In
the east are the Eagle and the Swan.
The Tyre may easily be located by means
of its brilliant star Vega, Alpha Lyrae.
The constellation has the form of tri-
srgle, with blunted angles, each of its cor
ners being marked by a pair of stars.
Although small, it contains several inter-
esting objects. To begin with the star
Vega, this is one Of the brightest three
stars in the northern hemisphere, its rivals
being Arcturus, just pointed out. and Ca
rella. low below the horizon. 1t is diff
cult to say which of the three stars is the
brightest, because of their difference in
color, Vega being bluish-white Capella CT
pale straw color, Arcturus of decided
orange-yelow.
According to Color.
Stars are now classified according to
their colors. or rather-what amounts TO
nearly the same thing-according to the
characteristics of their light when analyz-
ed with the spectroscope. The. white stars
known as "Sirian" stars, Sirius being the
class. They are the most numerous of the
stars, more than oEe-half of the stars be-
Ing of this color. Their "spectra" give
evidence that they are surrounded by ex-
tensive atmospheres of hydrogen. and they
are probably the hottest of the celestial
bodies as well as intrinsically the most
brilliant. They are regarded by astrono-
ers generally in early condition of
world life-as Juvenile suns, less advanced
In development than our own luminary
The yellow stars come next in the order of
number and fATm the second class. The
spectra of thesestars very closely resemble
that of the sun, being crossed like it by
dark lines which are now known to indi-
cate that their enveloping atmospheres are
made up of various gases and vapors of
metals, hydrogen being one of the gases.
but less abundant than in the Sirian stars.
Arcturus is a fine example of a solar
star. Its spectrum indicates that it is
a sun in essentially the same condition as
our sun, though it is undoubtedly an
enormously larger body. and we may
imagine, without violating probability,
that, like our sun, it is surrounded with
dark planetary worlds. As for Vega, Il is
not so easy to conjecture what would be
found to be the condition of things around
1t, could we approach 1t near enough 10
discover.
A Multiple Star.
Close beside Vega are two stars of the
fifth magnitude which form with it small
equal-sided triangle. The more northerly
Ol Tue Two Is EDSliOH LyTde, SOHetl1IleS
called the "Doubie-double." Even with an
opera glass one can that it consists of
two stars very close together. Indeed; It
is an exceedingly pretty opera-glass object.
If a telescope which magnifes not less
than one hundred times be directed to this
star it will be found that each of its COM
ponents also is double and a fifth star will
be brought into view. more powerful in
strument will show two other stars still
way fns n batrr
seen through the opera glass. That is, this
star Epsilon Lyrae, which to the naked
eye looks no different from other stars of
its trilfiancy, turns out to be multiple
star, consisting of not less than seven COM
ponents. 1t is said that Sir William Hers
chel, whose eyesight was remarkably keen.
could see this star elongated with the
naked eye.
The two quite conspicuous stars which
lie at the southern corner of the Tyre are
Beta and Gamma Lyrae. Beta-the upper,
the constellation Is now posed-is vari-
able, ranging from the third to the fourth
magnitude and going through it's changes
in period of thirteen days 1t is par
ticularly interesting to astronomers from
the fact that 1t has two maxima, or condi-
tons of greatest brilliancy, and two mimi
ma, at one of which 1t is less brilliant than
at the other. This is a good star for the
amateur star gazcr TO keep an eye upon.
famous Ring Nebula Of Lyra, an object, |
however. which requires for seeing it more
powerful instrumental aid than the reader !
Is likely to have. 1t appears In telescope
as Trick and slightly euiptfcal ring of |
nebulous light, which is quite suggestive of
one of those circular life-preservers that |
one may see dashed to the rail Of a steam |
boat. ready for an emergency. The nebuia |
has frequently been photographed and 1t |
is found to be tklckly peppered with small |
stare.
Rapid Movement.
As was mentioned last month, the "apex |
of the suns way''-the point In the heavens |
toward which the sun, the earth and all of |
us are travelling in space-has recently been |
located by one astronomer In this constel- |
lation. According to this astronomer, our /
distance from tho Tyre is diminishing at |
the rate of l50. 600 900 miles a year.
Beneath the Tyre may now be seen the \
Swan tCygnus). Its five brighter stars are !
arranged IN the form Of cross, and, IN