The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-13
THE MARCH SKIES.
Planets and Constellations-Phas of
the MOOn-The Annular Eclipse.

Planets and COnstellations-Phase of
the MOOn-The Annular Eclipse.
winslow Upton, in Providence Journal.
The bright star in the west in the early
evening is the planet Venus: that in the
south is the Dog Star. Sirius; that nearly
overhead is the star Capella. The two
bright red stars seen in the east in the later
evening are Arcturus and the planet Mars,
the latter the southern of the two. These
five objects are the most conspicuous stars
in the sky in the evenings of March. and
much that is interesting could be written of
each one. During this month Venus will
increase its apparent distance from the sun
and become brighter also. On the 1st ii sets
at 7:24 p. m. and on the 31st at s:sS p. m.
The star Sirius is the brightest of all the
fixed stars in the sky. and is far famed in
literature from the time of Homer. The
origin of the name is variously given, some
regarding 1t asa form of common word,
meaning sparkling" and others as de-
rived from an Egyptian word meaning the
Nile, while many other derivations are
mentioned in Mr.. Aliens book. ''Star Names
and Their Meanings Ancient astrology
assigned evil influences to this star, but
modern astronomy dismisses these fanc;es
and offers in their place sure facts Of con-
siderable interest. Recent researches show
that it is intrinsically much brighter than
our sun, that 1t is moving toward the solar
system, and that it is so far distant that
light takes eight years to reach the earth
from it.
The star Capella is the third star in
brightness in the sky, the star Canopus.
which is the second in order. not being Wis
ible from this northern latitude. 1t is espe-
cially interesting from it's spectrum, which
closely resembles that of our sun, indicat-
Ing that they are in similar physical condi-
ton. 1t is hve times as far distant as
Sirius, SO that light takes forty years to
reach u.s. and IL is intrinsically many times
brighter than our sun.
Arcturus is even more remarkable than
Sirius or Capella, for 1t Is at least three
times as far distant as the latter and yet
has very large angular motion among
the stars. This means that it has actually
closely the sun in constitution, according
to the testimony of the spectroscope
though like Sirius and Capella it is intrinsi-
cally much brighter. If our sun were view
ed from either of these stars it would not
appear near as bright as the pole star
seems to us.
The planet Mars is in it's best position for
observation this year. and on the 10Th Is i'm
opposition to the sun, rising at sunset.
During the month 1t moves rapidly west
ward among the stars in the constellation
virgo, passing over an arc of degrees.
This motion, which was puzzling to the
ancient astronomers until II was found to
result from our motion around the sun. can
OF the planet with reference to the star
Gamma Virgins. On the 1st their dis
tance is about degrees. but on the 18th
they are within half a degfree of each
planet will appear quite bright this month,
and in the telescope will show a disk Is
minutes or 16 minutes in diameter upon
which shaded areas may be dimly seen.
The finer details. such as the long, straight
streaks which are known as canals, can
be seen only by patient watching with good
telescopes In places where the air is less
disturbed than il is In New England Mars
rises on the 1st at S:19 p. m; on the 3lst
1T rises few minutes before sunset and
The distant planet Neptune Is the only
other planet found I'm the evening sky III
is in right ascension hours 4 minutes,
and declination north q degrees 20 minutes
in the constellation Gemini. II sets on the
1st at 2:49 a. On the 18th IL is stationary
in right ascension, and resumes its east
ward journey among the stars: on the 22d
distant from the sun.
Uranus is coming into favorable position
for observation On the 18th IL is 30 degrees
west of the sum- rising at about midnight.
and may be seen in the morning hours ON
the 31st it is stationary I'm right ascension
and begins to retrograde or move westwar I'd
among the stars. II may be found in right
ascension IL hours 80 minutes. and declna-
tion south % degrees % minutes. This is
between Antares in Scorpio and the MIX
of Sagittarius. IL rises on the 1st at go
a. m.
Mercury is not in good position this
month for observation. 1t may be seen the
first of the month in the east before sun
rise. but only for few mornings. 1t draws
closer to the sun as the month advances,
and on the 18th passes near Jupiter.
Jupiter and Saturn are in the morning
sky. The former rises on the 1st thirteen
minutes before sunrise. and on the 3lst on
hour before sunrise, so that by the end OF
the month II may be seen in the morning
twilight. Saturn is farther from the sun.
rising on the 1st one hour and thirty min
utes before SUNRISE, and may be seen
brightly shining in the constellation Capri
cornus.
The moon II near Venus on the lst. passes
Neptune on the 7th. Mars on the lsth.
Uranus on the 2oth, Saturn on the slth.
Jupiter on the 26th. Mercury on the 27th
and reaches Venus again on the slst II Is
at first quarter on the 5th, full on the llth
at last quarter on the 18th and new on the
9th.
The most spectacular event OF the month
u the annuiar eclipse OF the sun. which