THE PLANETS IN AUGUST

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26488, 1 August 1951, Page 2

THE PLANETS IN AUGUST

fWrttten for “The Press" bv K. W. ROTrii

Mercury is still in a very favourable position for observation during the first half of the month. The usually elusive planet has been quite conspicuous below Venus since the middin of July. It is approaching Venus during the first two weeks of August, but then rapidly disappears from sight. Venus, the brilliant evening star, is in full splendour at present. Toward the end of this month this beautiful star will be following Mercury and rapidly receding toward the horizon. However, because of its extreme brightness it will remain visible right to the end of the month. As it ii then in a more southerly orbit than the sun, the peculiar phenomenon will occur that round about September 1 Venus will be, for a day or two, both evening star and morning star; In a telescope, and even in a fieldglass, Venus appears as a fine crescent of large diameter. Venus is nearly in the line of sight between the earth and the sun, thus showing us only a very small portion of its illuminated side. Saturn is still found after nightfall fairly low in the 'north-west, but Is fading. In a telescope the ring can still be clearly seen. The giant planet Jupiter now dominates the late night sky as the brightest star. It rises slightly north of true east about 11 p.m., 10 p.m., and 9 p.m, on August 1, 16 and 31 respectively. Mars, remaining behind the sun, Is not visible.

The moon passes two degrees below Mercury at 7 p.m. on August 3, Thia is an excellent opportunity to find Mercury for anyone who has not found thll planet before. The occulatlon of Antares by the moon on August 12 can be observed only through a telescope because it occurs in full daylight at 1 p.m.