The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-11
THE MILKY-WAY
IN SEPTEMBER.
The Structural Arrangement and the
Star Clusters in Its Path.
ITS BEAUTY AND SpLENOOR.
Ghe Prominent Star Clusters, PIeiades
ana Hyades Appear Late In the
Evening BriIliancy OF Venus
as an Evening Star.

The moonless evenings Of September
are expected 10 give excellent opportu-
mites fer studying tho structural ar
ranFemont OF the Mniky-Way and the
numerous star clusters that lie conug-
Uous 20 its path.
This conspicuous line OF hazy Hight.
HAT has from time immemorial formed
subject for much speculation among
astronomers. during this month passes
through the zenith at about $50 J., II.
pnd stretches out in a line ranging across
The sky from the northeast 20 the south
west and "a this particular season IS
observed 20 extend from the oOnstela-
lion scorpio 20 Cygnus for the space Of
about tJ degrees IA two bonds that lie
closely parallel TO each other. This belt
d hazy light appears 20 enCirclc the
Earth somewhat after the manner i'm
which the rings surround the planet
saturn, but when we speak OF its form,
structural arrangement and the relation
u bears % our planet the difference be-
ZONES vast and inconcoivahlc. The telc-
scope shows 80 20 consist Of millions Of
Stars clustered together and these are
- distant and numerous that II becomes
impossible % see or distinguish them
separatsiy The telescope attractions to
b. observed along this part OF the Sep
TENDER sky viii be the unusual promi-
nence exhibited in the star clusters par
tcularly within the small constellation
Scutmu and am along the western band
bt the Mnky-Way between Aquila and
Sagittarius.
BEAUTY AND sPLENDOR.
The gorgeous display Of beauty and
tplendor that is shed from this region
During September viii amply repay the
observer for the time taken to locate
u. The telescope also reveals the fact
That nearly an tho faint stars are cus- |
ters near 10 or within tho line Of the
milky Way, and. as the instrument IS |
turned gradually away towards it's poles. |
Tney arc seen 90 greatly decrease In num- |
Der and one with ordinary strength Of |
Vision, on clear nights. can readily see /
with the unaidcd eve that a large pre- |
bondoranco OF an the stars lie within |
Or near the plane OF the MBky-Way
Tn asccrtaining that the stars are all |
strewn mainly en- q great belt that ex- /
tends IN The same direction with that |
q the Mlky-Wuy Sir William Herschell |
was enabled 10 establish the theory that |
The universe takes the form Of fat
tencd orb Lcns-shaped mass having fits |
greatest extent in the direction of the |
Niiky-Way and. that as the stars are
situated more closely 70 its plane than |
60 any other part Of the heavens. the
r'uci NaioN la readily reached fhat our /
system with its sun, planets and satel- |
Iiies occupy but the insignificant place
pr a star cluster within the great SIDE
real disk. 0r ring composed ~ its mill !
ions Of suns and their attendant worlds
and systems Of worlds an moving in |
obedience 20 material laws that keep |
zach member in its appointed place-oNsr |
all and in an OF which rules and reigns |
DE Great First C1usc-ai tLe sal1e 'ime !
onFerirg 20 as The minute conception |
Y this great clock work of the sky as