Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05

around us and overhead are host of inter-
esting objects-star clusters, nebulae and
double stars-either visible to the naked
eye or within reach of a telescope of mod
crate power.
In midheavens in the south stands Orion,
the acknowledged prince of the constella-
tons, with ITS splendid setting of first
magnitude stars-Betelgeuse, Rigel, Sirius,
Procyon and Aldebaran Overhead is Au-
riga, the Wagner. the principal star in
which, Capeila, ranks in splendor second
only to Sirius. In the east is Leo, contain
ing the bright star Regulus, the sickle
shaped group of stars which forms the
Lions bushy head and shoulders being at
about one-third of the distance from the
horizon to the zenith. At about the same
altitude in the west is the pair of stars.
one of the second and one of the third
magnitude, which mark the head of Aries,
the Ram. Midway between Capella ana
Regulus, little below a straight line
drawn from one to the other, are the
Twins Castor and PolluX-a pair of stars
of about the same brilliancy and at about
the same distance apart the Pointers in
the bowl of the Great Dipper. The Dipper
itself, or the Plow, this striking group
Of seven stars is popularity called in Eng
land, will be found at the hour named
above. standing on its handle in the north
east, the Pointers uppermoSt and at about
the height of the Pole Star, while at about
the same altitude in the northwest is the
W-shaped figure Of Cassiopeia, THE Lady
in Her Chair"
In this great X-like figure we have I'M
doubleday one of the very Oldest Of the con-
stellations. Familiar TO Homer and Hesiod
and referred to in the Book Of job Orion is
invested with historic associations and sur
uif hal nf and nVfhpl-
ogy which have, perhaps, quite as much to
do with its fascination for modern star
gazers as has the singular majesty of the
asterism itself. 1t is still the Mighty
Orion" as it was in the days Of Homer,
though its potency now is not over the
weather, but over the Imagination.
AS has been the case with many others
Of the consultations, chart makers have
drawn the lineaments of Orion with free
hand. and have imposed upon a figure
quite unlike anything which We can see
among the stars. His sword, his lion skin
shield, his uplifted club. are appendages
which we should hardly imagine to exist
without the aid of the figure which we
may find upon a celestial chart. Yet these
accessories all referred to at an early
period. and they belong to the constellation
as Ii was known to ancient astronomers
though it may be questioned whether they
were seen by the still more ancient con-
stellation makers. Looking at the stars
themselves and losing sight of the picture,
We can easily make out of them q crude
likeness to a gigantic human shape-such a
giant as a schoolboy might draw upon his
slate-and we may feel pretty certain that
this figure is the original and true Orion.
The Arabic name of this constellation was
Al Jauza, the Giant The name is preserv-
ed in that of its brightest star. Bet-el-geu-
se-Bat al Jauza, Armpit of the Giant-at
the upper left-hand corner of the great y.
Rigel, the name of the star at the lower
right-hand corner, is the Arabic Rial
which means foot. These stars are both of
the first magnitude. Saiph. at the lower
left-hand corner. is of the third magnitude.
The name is Arabic, and means sword.
BeliatriA, at the upper right-hand corner,
Is of the second magnitude. This word is
Latin. meaning warrioress. As the name
of a star its point is not very apparent.
In Orion's Belt.
The three stars which form Orion's belt
all of the second magnitude, are some
times regarded as an asterism in them
selves. They are variously known as the
Three Kings, as Jacobs STAFF as the Rake
Taken in connection with the star in the
hilt of the sword, they form the Yard L.
or the Yard and Ell, as the name is some
times written. The line of these three
stars is almost exactly three degrees in
length, a fact useful to remember when
one is estimating distances among the
stars. The celestial equator passes very
viding the constellation in such wise that
it lies one-half in the northern and one-half
in the southern hemisphere of the heavens
This n est majestic Of the consultations is
the refore visible to all Of the earth's IN
habitants.
Below the belt and in the sword, at the
point Indicated on the planisphere is the
famous Orion nebala, the largest and n.os.
remarkable object of its kind. 1t surrounds
the star Theta-the middle star of three
which mark the lowermost corner of a
diamond-shaped figure. Of which one side
Is formed by the belt. An opera glass will
reveal here plQngatQd rluafar of
which Is In itself a very pretty object srd,
II the night is clear and moonless. the
nebula may be seen as family luminous
spot as large. perhaps. as the full moon.
Photographs OF this wonderful object are
now so common that description. cf it is
hardly necessary. Indeed. no description
can convey more than feeble impression
of Its almost weird appearance In the field
OF large telescope. A cloud of luminous
niist--that II what 1t appears to be-not
altogether formless, for 1t resembles curl