The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-08

views Of her during the day moving on
a ID-ad OF the sun.
Astronomers: are inclined to tbs belief
that Venus has a hard crust like that OF
the earth, and that she also possesses a
dense atmosphere and cloud formations.
the latter OF which is largely Responsible
tor her marked brilliancv, as they are
good medium for rejecting the rays OF
the sun
Mars. which up to tbs 2sth of last
month was evening star, has now pe-
come our morning star. but Is still tou
rear the sun to De seen. Mercury Will
also be too near the sun TO be visible.
He and Mars are travelling close togethtr
HI during this month. and on the 2Sd WAL
De in close conjunction. Mars being only
about one-half degrees to the north OF
him.
THE cIRcUMPoLAR coNsTELLA-
In one or two previous articles have
spoken al some length of q number o.
the various consultations OF tht heavens.
but have not said as much about the cir
cumpoiar consultations as they probably
deserve.
BY circumpolar consultations is meant
those consultations which are strung in
circle around the North Star and never
set I will first take up Crsa MaJ"r, the
Great Bear Looking skyward about 9
O'Clock in the evenings OF April, we be-
hold this great constellation high up in
the heavens. 1t is easily distinguished
by means of cluster OF seven bright
stars forming what is called the Dipper.
In some countries it is called Charles
VAIN or Wagon. The Dipper, which Is
now near the meridian above the North
Star, lies with its bottom towards us
and its handle on the right. Climbing up
behind the Great Bear Is pTacc. the
~, 1.,ffh cOntcr.
.tions, occupies q, large space in the polar
regions. North Of Draco Is situated Ursa
Minor, the Little Bear
This constellation, which contains but
few prominent stars. is. however, much
distinguished because of the advanta ges
which its position in the heavens affords
to surveying and navigation. Its pr1n-
cipal star is so near the true pole of the
heavens that it has been known for sew
eral thousand years as the North Polar
Star. The seven principal stars in this
constellation form a. figure very much
like the Dipper III the Great Bear, but
the Dipper in this constellation is re-
as the Dipper in the Great Bear.
Below The North Star we see Cepheus
and Cassiopeia. Cepheus contains no
star above the third magnitude. CASH
opeia is nearly at the same distance from
the North Star as the Great Bear and
is easily distinguished by five stars OF the
second and third ma snitudes. in the form
of the letter ". This constellation is
otherwise memorable as having once con-
tanned very bright star, wficln sobse-
uuenuy isappeared.
1t may not be arniss to make remark
or two here upon its extraordinary ap-
pearances About three hundred years
ago this star all at once shone out With
great splentlor. It was brighter than
any planet. and could be seen at noon
day It's light. which was at first OF a
dazzling whiteness. turned into a red
dish yellow and then into an ashy pale
ness. in which light it expired "a fter be-
ing visible for about sixteen months.
TIE CONSULTATIONS NOT CIR
CUMPOLAR-
OF the other prominent stars and con-
steilaticns visible last month. Castor.
Poliux Procion and Sirius. which were
then Just little past the meridian, when
viewed now a about half past O'Clock
IN the evenings. are seen about half way
between the meridian and the western
horizon. while Orion and Taurus are on
the point of setting. Regslus in the
Lion. which has been gradually getting
higher ard higher III the heavens. mas
now reached the meridian. Due east of
Reeulus and a little more than half way
between this star and the horizon we
see a very bright star which cannot fail
to fix the attention of the star gazer:
this is Arcturus in Bootes. which shines
with a reddish light very much like that
of Mars. Bootes. otherwise known S the
Bear Driver. early excited the admira-
ton of the ancents and many were the
verses composed in his honor. Claudian
SAYS that
..Bootes with his vain the north unfoids;
The Southern gate Orion holds.