Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-07
THE MARCH SKIES.
The Suns Journey Northward-rhe
Cancellations and Planets.


In the month Of March each year the
seasonal changes from winter to summer
are the most marked. At least this is true
as far as the motion Of the sun 10 con-
cerned. for weather conditions may re-
spond but tardily. The sun begins the
month eight degrees south Of the equator
and ends II four degrees north of the
equator. This rapid change shows Itself
in two ways-in the increase in the In
terval between sunrise and sunset, which
amounts to nearly an hour and a half
and In the higher path OF the sun across
the sky as the days follow each other
II one has a good view OF the eastern or
the western horixon. he can readily SEQ
the change in the point where the sun
appears in the morning or disappears IN
the evening. on even two successive days.
The northward swing OF both sunrise and
sunset points. amounting TO sixteen de-.
Erees In the course Of tho month, from
ten degrees south Of the east or west
points to six degrees north. n very mark
ed The greater length OF the day and
the Increased height Of the sun makes It's
heating power upon the earth more eff
cient and signs OF the response Of M.
ture are not wanting.
The stellar calendar also announces the
spring. but in symbols not 50 easily read
Before the making Of almanacs, the ap-
pearance OF the consultations IN differ
ent parts Of the sky was the never-fail-
ing calendar which marked tho progress
OF the seasons. Were we using this CAL
endar now, we might say that the disap-
pearance OF the great Square Of Pegasus
In the twilight after sunset IN the Clog
ing days Of February announced the com.
ing Of spring, and the corresponding dis
appearance Of the group Aries in March
marks its actual arrival. The date OF the
crossing Of the equator by tho sun. which
this year 10 March -. p. NJ. 10 ACTED
in almanacs as the beginning Of spring.
The constellation groups In March
, evenings are very conspicuous. especially
those overhead and In the west ana
south. In the south are onion and CAMS
Major. regarding which tho Greek poet
Aratus wrote twenty centuries ago:
Eastward beyond the region Of the Bull
Stands great Orion: whose kens not him
In cloudless night
Cleaning aioft. shall cast his eyes IA
vain
To find brighter sign in all the heaven,
And. guardian grim. behind him a. he
towers
Stands the Dog. his hind leg uplifted,
Many starred: yet not bright all his form;
His belly shadowy: but in his fell Jaw
Flames star above all others with scar
ing beams
Fiercely burning, called by mortals siri-
us. TRANSLATION by Posts)
In more prosaic description. Taurus
the Bull IL west OF Orion. with It's we'll
known groupes. the Pleiades and Hyades;
Auriga is north OF Orion. high In the
sky. the brilliant Capella its brightest
star; CAMS Major with Sirius. and CAMS
Minor with Procyon are southeast and
east of Orion. and Gemini with the twin
stars Castor and Poliux. are northeast
Other groups are Leo and Virgo farther
east. Perseus and Cassiopeia In the north
west. Hydra and Corvus In the south aAd
southeast, Ursa Major the Great Bear.
Is conspicuous In the northeast. the group
comprising not merely the Great Dipper
but numerous fainter stars between the
Dippcr and the consultations Leo ard
Lynx. among which the body Of the bear
was drawn.
The Noon in March always runs high
across the sky near First Quarter. runs
low In the south near Last Quarter ana
at Full Moon has an average height.
When seen soon after New Moon Its horns
are turned upward. and after Full Moon
1t rises so much later each evening than
the evening previous that mooniit even
ings are the fewest OF the year This
month Full Moon comes on tho third.
the Moon rises at midnight on the eighth
is at Last Quarter on the tenth, IL lowest
In the sky on the eleventh. IA New on
the eighteenth, IL at First Quarter and
runs highest on the twenty-fifth
The planets this month are all IN ~
sition for observation II will BE- the best
time OF the year to see the planet Mer-
curry In the west after sunset. towards
the last Of the month. The planet sntsrs
the evening shy. coming from behind the
sun. on the second and after thA middle
Of the month may b seen In the twilight;
three quarters Of IN hour - IN hour
after sunset. On the twsntisth II u bright.
ct and may be seen between go and 7
p. N. On the twenty -ssvsath 4 10 At ~
greatest distance from the sun ana should
be looked for between 60 and TO r. N.
Face the west and look In the twilight
above the west point fsv deGvsas far
Their north. There u No o4lss h1(gnt stAr
Mag L. - -