The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-07
Today's Science
BY DAVID DIETZ

NOVA the new star that fared forth
4 Tin the sky shortly before Christmas, continues
% oat1e and amaze the astronomers. Usually a
nova flashes forth with sudden and great bril-
lance. Then it begins to fade. Its fling is over and
gradually 1t goes back to obScurity.
But Nova HerculiS continues to break all the
rules for nOvae. II ~fuctuates back and forth. now
growing DINNER. now brighter. The Harvard as
tronOmers report that it has fuctuated as much as
an entire magnitude in "a hours.
The nova was at its brightest on Dec. I9 when
Il reached a magnitude Of 19. At present. according
10 Prof. J. J. Nassau. director OF the Warner &
Swasey Observatory Of Case School Of Applied
Science. il has a magnitude of about 35.
The theory IS that a nova flares up in the sky
because Of some internal explosion or heating within
the star which causes the outer region Of the star
to expand
MIGHT skies are particularly interesting this
~ month because four planets can be seen in
them although all four can not be seen at one and
the same time.
Perhaps I should remind you first how to find
Nova Herculis. At sunset. low in the northwest
you will find the bright star Vega. Draw a line
from Il 70 the group Of small stars which form the
head Of Draco or the Dragon. Nova HerculiS is on
the line about two-thirds of the way to Draco.
Brightest planet in the February sky is Venus.
II is now 100 times brighter than a first magnitude
star.
For the next four or five days only. Mercury will
be found near Venus. II is as bright as a first
magnitude star. Near Venus and Mercury is a small
star. one belonging 70 the constellation Of Aquarius.
The two planets and the little star. seen in the early
twilight Of a clear evening make a particularly
beautiful sight.
Mars rises in the East about 8 D. m. Its color, Of
course. is red. contrasting with the clear white Of
Venus. Later. about IL p. m- Jupiter. whose color
Is white but whose bTilliance is less than that OF
Venus. comes over the eastern horizon.
The amateur who wishes TO learn the planets
and their motions viii find It particularly inter-
esting TO begin now and follow these planets through
the rest Of the year.
THE return Of these planets 10 the night sky re-
Il awakens interest in them and the recent dis
coverieS concerning their characteristics. These
may be summarized briefly as follows:
Mercury-No atmosphere. Probably keeps the
same face always turned toward the sun. a tenn
perature on this face equal 10 that Of melted lead.
Venus-Surrounded by dense heavy white clouds
which the telescope can not penetrate. n~nvestiga-
tons OF DR.. Walter S. Adams al Mt. Wilson indicate
much carbon dioxide. but no oxygen or water vapor
above the cloud level. Temperature perhaps a little
warmer than our own earth. Extremely doubtful
that life might exist on the planet.
M~ars-Numerous markings visible including white
polar caps. DR.. Adams investigations reveal little
water vapor in the atmosphere. and almost a COM
plete lack OF oxygen Marian nights are extremely
cold and il is doubtful if life could Withstand the
possibility Of an oxygen shortage and the ex-
IRENE cold
Jupiter-A heavily clouded atmosphere. Dr..
Adams Investigations indicate the presence Of am
monia and methane in il. Not the kind Of an at
moSphere 70 support life as We know il.