The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-08

larger than our sun and that its dark
companion is probably about 5000
miles in diameter. The distance be-
tween the two stars is thought to be
some three million miles.
The process Of occultation consumes
about ten hours. Ordinarily, Algol is
second magnitude star I'm 2.1.)
About five hours after the occultatior
commences it has reached a magni-
tude of 80, a decrease in magnitude
of IL. For about twenty minutes 1t
remains at this brilliancy, then it be-
gins to brighten, consuming another
five hours in reaching its former
magnitude.
As a star of the second magnitude.
AIgoI equals in brilliancy the stars of
the Big Dipper, all of which are of
that magnitude with the exception of
the star where the handle joins the
bowl of the Dipper. That star is of
third magnitude and will convey an
idea of the brightness Of AlgoI at its
minimum.
All Familiar With Big Dipper.
We are all familiar with the Big
Dipper and will use that constellation
as a starting point in locating the
nebula and Algol. The stars in the
outer edge of the bowl are known as
the pointers, since line drawn thru
them and continued in. at this season
of the year. a southeasterly direction,
passes thru the Pole Star Now let US
go back to the Dipper and from the
star at the junction of the handle and
bowl draw another line thru the Pole
Star, continuing it in an easterly di-
rection toward the horizon. It will be
found to pass thru a group of stars in
the form of capital w known as
Cassiopeia's Chair, finally intercepting
a second magnitude star which has to
the north and south of it two equally
bright stars. These three stars form
the constellation of Andromeda. BY
going back up the line we have drawn
we find a faint star of third magni-
tude, and a little above it two more.
Just above these two stars and about
equidistant from each lies the nebula,
Remember this, the moonlight is 60
ing to make it's visibility less for the
next few days, and its appearance will
likely prove a disappointment. Sec
ondIy, do not attempt to locate it
when 1t is too close to the horizon, but
rather wait until it is higher in the
air, as the intervening envelope of at
mosphere will be considerably less.
Havinzy found the nebula, go back to
the middle star in Andromeda and
draw line from it to the bright star
to the north. Continue this line in
the same general direction until
another second magnitude star is en-
HORIZON. In the immediate vcntyshrdul
SIeIIaLlOl OF 96ISSuSs UuJ III OEuST TO
find Algol, we must come back along
our line short distance and then drop
a. perpendicular toward the north east
horizon. In the immedia vicinity
will be found Algol. Disconnecting the
three bright stars will form a right
angled triangle with Algol at the right
angle and the figure opening toward
Cassiopeia. Just below 1t is a third
star, which may be COM
pared with its brighter neighbor as
Algol fades.
While writing this, Mt. Wilson OBJ
has announced the measure
ment of the angular diameter of
Arcturus, and gives it as being IL of
a second of arc. This means an actual
diameter of $4,000. 900 miles. It would
take 1888 suns the size of OURS to
equal it in volume. Arcturus is the
first bright star to appear in our mid
western sky after shutdown.
Vega is almost directly overhead:
Affair is to the south of it. thanked
on eitherside by his guards. while low
in the southwest burns the fiery heart
of the Scorpion, Antares.