The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-07-09
THE PLANETS IN JULY.
Jupiter Again Visible in Evening
Hours. Mercury, Venus and Mars
Morning Stars. July Con
stellations.

1t is given to but few people to
spend lifetime in study of the heav-
emily bodies nor do all have the oppor-
tunity to scan the heavens through
large telescopes. Nevertheless, there
is a most fascinating field of study in
that which may be seen with the max
ed eye and an ordinary opera or field
glass extends the limit of observation
considerably.
In this month, July, we may look
for Saturn and Jupiter as evening
stars. Uranus is, also, an evening star
but it's altitude is so low in the south
it is not easily seen without tele-
scope Saturn in this month is in the
best position for observation during
this year. 1t may be seen in the
southeast, as soon as it is dark enough,
after the 18th when it will rise be-
fore sunset. 1t is in the constellation
Sagittarius, between the Milk Dipper
and the stars forming the large tri-
angle with curved sides which is the
characteristic figure of Capricornus.
With telescope eight inches in di-
ameter all its tiny satellites may be
seen and its largest satellite Titan
may be seen with glass of two or
without the telescope and the superb
rings and satellites seen with tele-
scopic aid make it favorite of OBJ
servers.
Jupiter is visible between the hours
of and 8 p. m. Surprising Saturn
in brilliancy, both because of its great
size and because it is nearer to the
earth, it challenges the attention OF
or &c in
stellation of Capricornus in the north.
ern side of the TT angle which the star,
of that group form and is moving
westward.
The morning planets this month are
Mercury, Venus, Mars and Neptune
Neptune is too near the sun to BIZ
easily seen, but the others can b,
found without difficulty. Mercury
reaches its greatest distance from tn,
sun on the 18th, when it rises a
a. M, or one hour, twenty thre,
minutes before the sun. 1t shoult
be seen between 3 80 and 3 30 a. IN
in the gathering twilight above tn,
sunrise point of the horizon. 1t mus
not be COMPOUNDED with Venus anC
Mars, which are higher in the sky
After the 10Th it will gradually draw
nearer the sun, but at the same tim,
is getting brighter, so that it can b.
seen until the closing mornings-of tn
month. Venus rises about 2 0
O'Clock, and although approaching it
minimum brightness it is still tn
brightest star in the sky.
Mars has emerged from the sun
rays and may be seen between Venu
and the horizon at about the sam
time On the 18th, when Mercur
is at its grea test distance from tn
sun, the three planets are nearly il
a line, the distance between Mar
and Venus eight degrees and betwee
Mars and Mercury seven degrees
Mars is about two degrees north G
the line joining Venus and Mercury
All three planets should be readii
seen on this and later -sornings Mar
and Venus are both moving eastwar
among the stars but on account of tn
difference i'll their rates of motto
seem to be drawing nearer to eac
other
The July consultations include tn
zodiacal belt Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scol
pic, and Sagittarius. West of tn
southwest and Coma Berenices, Bootes
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor in the Yves
and northwest. East of the merida
are Serpens, Ophichus, Corona Bore
ais, Hercules, Aquila, Delphinus
Lyra, Cygnus, Cepheus and Cassiopeis
enumerated from south to north an
all north of the zodiac The Milk
Way crosses the eastern sky and wit
these consultations betoken the cal,
of natures summer.