Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-06
THE SKY IN JULY.
4 Long Look Ahend to a Greenland
Cltmate-1ntercsting Astronomical
Events Of the Month.

In the early morning of July the earth
reached a critical point in its annual
journey around the sun. This Is the
alhelion, when we are farther from the
sun than at any other time in the course
az the year. At this moment, having
exhausted tire Impulse which it gained in
its six months fall toward the sun, the
earth again descends in the mighty curve
which will. year hence, bring it back
20 the point of beginning, says the New
York Globe. The position of this point.
both as regards the place on the orbit
md the ecCcntricity of the orbit itself,
is of extreme Importance in the history
nf our planet. An excellent illustration
and proof OF this statement IS found III
the recent report of the explorers of the
antarctic continent, who's" discoveries
show that that icy waste was once. UNI
der more favorable astronomical condi-
tons. the abode of abundant life similar
to that now found in the temperate reg
ions. And, unless all deductions arc
wrong. the time will yet come when this
section for long period. will be in the
grip cf Il climate similar To that of
Greenland.
IT, on "a clear evening in the early days
If July. we look at the sky a little after
} o'clock. We shall see in the northeast
what appears to be q white cloud shining
with a faint luminosity. We look more
closcly and see bright stars shining
through the seeming cloud. More and
more stars stand forth rom their silvery
setting, and we realize that what seemed
luminous. transparent cloud is in fact,
the richest portion of the Milky Way,
which. Il little later, Will span the sky.
reaching from the northern to the south
rrn horizon For the present we NAY be-
hold in its greatest perfection this most
sipendous entity of the universe. En-
!rty is used advisedly, for astronomers
now. with few exceptions. accept the view
that the Milky Way is IA real stream of
stars. associated in a distinct hut mex
pliCablc way. ine-tcnths of the stars
Of our visible universe are found within
It's limit which. for the most part are
tct with amazing clearness and sharp
ness In the spring and fall the great
rome of stars corresponds more or less
With the horizon, and so is not seen dur
Ing convenient hours of observation. In
winter the sky is spanned by n portion
much less rich than that which is the
glory of our summer nights.
II the night be at al favorable it will
for II great portion of the Way into
distinct and parallel bands. This division
heeins at the constellation Cysnhs. where
the galaxy is richest in stars. This con
stellation is marked by the Northern
Cross. a colossal figure in the shape of :
Roman cross Deneb. star rated Of
the second magnitude. but OF a bright
ness which places it almost in the frs
rank. is at the head of the cross--whicl
extends southwark along the Milky Wa!
with arms reaching East and West. The
profuson of minor stars in this conStel
lation is indescribable. To the naked eye
hundred ara crowded into the narrow
space. An opera glass reveals thousands
while a telescope brings out hundreds o
thousands.
West of the Milky Way. near this por
tiOn. we see the very bright star. Vega
which marks the small but beautiful con
stelIation Lyra. Two small stars near
by form a triangle with Vega. One o
these stars. known only lv its Greek let
Ter nar1c of Epsilon ).yrae. by the use o
mn opera glass is seen 10 lie double.
telescope shows that each 'f these com
ponents is itself a GOubc Each Of thrs
pairs is revolving about common center
while the pairs themselves are moving i
mighty orbit requiring fer cornpleto
Looking from the Cross toward tin
northern horizon along the Milky Way
we come to the beautiful cOrstellatio
called Cassicpeia, and often known as IL,
Lady in Her Chair Six bright stars Civ