El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-01-29
81 GARRFTT P. SFPYISS.

HlGH overhead glows Capella. with
a steady luster IN the Constella-
ton Auriga- To the northwest
OF Auriga, IN the stream of the Milky
Way will be seen q curved row of stars
marking the Constellation Perseus. and
a little southwest of Perseus appears a
second magnitude star, which Is one OF
the wonders Of the heavens, Algol, the
Demon Star" IN the little constellation
OF Caput Medusae. The classical reader
VIII Immediately recognize these names
and recall the ancient legend connected
with them. PerSeus represents the
NEUROLOGICAL hero with winged sandals
and diamond sword who rescued the
chained Maiden AndrOmeda from the Sea
Monster that was sent to devOur her
because her beauty had aroused the
vengeful jealousy of a sea-goddess
Perseus had cut off the head of the
dreadful GOrgon. the sight of whose
snaky hairs petrified all beholders, and
on seeing this object the sea monster
was turned into rock. This whole story
IS commemorated in the consultations.
Head Of the GOrgO9-
Caput MedUsae represents the head Of
the Gorgon. and the strange star. Algol,
slowly wiDking like a wicked eye, sug-
EeSrS the reason why the ancienrs Sc
iected this little constellation TO play
half AlgOl shines with the bright
ness Of a second magnitude star. then
mysteriously il begins to fade, and in
the course Of four or five hours il sinks
nearly TO the fourth magnitude In a
few minutes il begins to brighten
again and soon regains its former bril-
lance. The cause Of these changes is
now known to be the existence of 4
huge dark body revolving close around
Algoi and periodically causing partial
eclIpses OF the star West Of Perseus
loo s.r
Jude stars, ending at one corner of the I
Great Square Of Pegasus, which is on /
the point Of setting, represents AndrO- (
media. the Chained Maiden
A few degrees north of the central !
star in AndrOmeda viii be noticed a !
faint speck Of light near a small star.
A strong opera glass viii show that I
this IS q nebula- 1t is the famous
AndrOmeda nebula. photographs of (
which reveal vast system of con-
centric splrals surrounding a central
regarded as an enormous solar system
IN process Of formation. q far grander
system than that in which we live.
Here's n New One.
Between AEdromeda and the Polar
star a CONSPICUOUS w shaped figure
in the Milky Way. stands for Cassfopeia-
AndrOmeda's mother Her father, Ce-
Dhus, the King. is seen below the pole
toward the west, but not in any. rec
lSnizable human shape. SO much for
the mythology Of the consultations now
visible
Between Perseus and Cassiopeia in
the bed of the Milky Way the eye per
ceIves a gathering OF small stars, not
separately visible; these constitute the
handle OF the magic sword which Per
seus is supposed TO bear. An opera or
field glass transforms the appearance
IF these stars, making the group very /
attractive. while small telescope re-
eye is daZzled.
Returning TO the mid-heavens. We see
orion sufficiently described in a for
mer article. and always the most com
handing object among the constella-
tons. when visible at all
Below the three stars in straight
line marking the Belt Of Orion viii
be seen an irregular row Of smaller
stars hanging downward. so to speak
These form the sword and in the
midst Of them. appears a family glow
ng spot-the great nebula of Orion.
This object must be seen with a tele-
scope IN order that its truly wonderful
nature may be appreciated
The Bull Of the sky.
Northeast OF Orion is Taurus. the