The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-19
THE STARS In JUNE.

Scorpio is one of the most beautiful of the
summer consultations. 1t now rises in the
southeastern horizon at o'clock and by 8
in is excellent position for observation. An
tares, in the heart of the Scorpion, is the
principal star. 1t is of the first magnitude
and the brightest star now visible in the
southern heavens. On account of its re-
markable red color 1t is easily distinguished
1t is called Antares because it resembles
the planet Mars. Ares was the Greek Mars,
and Antares the other Mars. The brighter
stars of the constellation form a figure re-
sembling a boys bow kite. Antares is in
the lower point of the kite, and ten stars
form the curving tail. The same stars also
outline the tail of the Scorpion. In ancient
estrology Scorpio was the sign accursed.
Mars was the tutelary deity of the Scorpion,
and. according to the foolish jargon of as
trologers, there is a great analogy between
the malign influence of the planet Mars and
this sign.
AS Scorpio is one OF the zodiacal constella-
lions it frequently contains planets of our
system. AT present it has in its northern
borders the great planet Saturn, which is
more than a thousand times the size of the
earth, but so remote that it shines with a
pale light, scarcely ranking with Antares
in apparent magnitude Uranus is also in
Scorpio, but too small to be seen without a
glass. Last Monday a comet was discov-
cred by Professor Coddington, of Lick OBJ
servatory, one degree northeast of Antares
This comet may be seen any clear night
with field glass. Wednesday night it was
about one degree south of Antares. 1t is
slowly moving away toward the south.
Scorpio is a very ancient constellation. 1t is
thus described in the fable of Phaeton:
There is a place above where Scorpio bent,
In tail and arms surrounds vast extent;
In wide circuit of heaven he shines,
And fills the place of two celestial signs"
According to mythology this is the famous
scorpion which sprang from the earth at
the command of Juno and stung Orion.
When Scorpio rises Orion is always setting,
so that they never appear in the same
hemisphere at the same time.
At o'clock in the evening there is a
star of remarkable brillianey in the zenith.
He who looks overhead at this hour beholds
the most stupendous object in the visible
universe. 1t is called Arcturus, the bear
keeper. 1t is so remote than 40 years are
required for its light to traverse the vast
space that separates it from the earth. 1t
is six thousand times as large as our sun,
and were we as near to it as we are to the
sun, every element of the earth would be
fused and dissipated into vapor by its in
tense radiant heat Herschel estimated its
diameter at 100000 miles. There are but
three of the fixed stars brighter. In March,
1886, NORM saw it in the west for more than
half an hour after sunrise. Arcturus is in
the constellation of Bootes, who is repre-
scented by the figure of huntsman holding
in his hand the leash of two hounds, AS
terion and Chara, with which he is pursu-
ing the Great Bear commonly called Great
Dipper) around the pole of the heavens.
The northern regions of the heavens and
the earth derive their names from the con-
stellation of the Great Bear. Arctic circle
and arctic region formerly meant bear cir
Gle and bear region. The stars of the con-
stellation of Bootes have attracted the adj
miration of nearly all of the eminent poets
of antiquity. The following was written
about 200 B. c.:
Behind, and seeming to urge on the Bear,
Arctophylax, on earth Bootes named.
Sheds Ger the Arctic car his silver light"
While looking at Bootes observe one of
the prettiest asterisms in the armament,
called the Northern Crown. 1t lies due
east of and close to Arcturus. 1t is easily
recognized by a circlet of stars resembling
a wreath or crown None of the stars is
brilliant but there are twenty-one in the
small group. This constellation is supposed
to commemorate the crown presented by
Bacchus to Ariadne.
With a good opera glass the moons of
Jupiter may now be seen. Jupiter is in
Virgo, and may be quickly identified be-
cause of his unrivaled brilliancy
JOHN c. DEAN.