THE PLANETS IN JUNE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26745, 31 May 1952, Page 3

THE PLANETS IN JUNE

(Written for “The Press” by K. W. ROTH)

The planets Mars and Saturn dominate the evening sky. Saturn is in true north, at an altitude of 47 degrees, at 8.25. 7.30 and 6.30 p.m. on June 1, 16 and 30, respectively, whilst Mars crosses the north meridian on the same dates at 9.45, 8.45 and 8 p.m. The two planets are very different in appearance and in fact. Mars is the bright red star, but Saturn shines in a soft yellow light. Between the two, nearer to Mars at present, is the first magnitude fixed star Spica in Virgo, fainter than both Saturn and Mars.

Though Mars is much brighter than Saturn, Saturn is really a giant In size, in fact more than 1200 times as large as the earth, whereas Mars Is only 15 per cent, the volume of the earth. The reason for the difference in brightness is, of course, to be found in the difference in distance. At present Mars is 55.000,000 miles from us, but Saturn is at the enormous distance of over 800.000.000 miles. The rival of Mars in colour, the giant fixed star Antares, in the beautiful constellation Scorpius, is not very far off to the right of Mars. According to a legend of the Mayas, the sinister planet Mars was thought to have been born within the bounds of the Scorpion, which was considered an ill omen. According to a South Pacific legend, New Zealand owes her existence to tbe god Maui. Maui was fishing, smearing the bait on his fish hook with his own blood. He cast the hook into the Pacific ocean and felt it catch something. When he drew his catch up. he found that he caught a whole island, with hills and trees and people already living on it. Maui was so delighted with his catch that he tossed his fish hook high up into the heavens, where it became stuck and remained suspended, outlined with beautiful stars, as the constellation Scorpius. Thus there is a particular association between this consellation and New Zealand. Seen through a small telescope, Mars is always a disappointing object, hardly showing any surface details Saturn is most fascinating with its ring system. In the last week of June the elusive planet Mercury appears in the early evening sky near the horizon where the sun sets. At the end of the month the planet will be quite bright, setting one and a half hours after the sun. Venus disappears from the sky, hiding behind the sun. Its role of morning star has been taken over by the giant planet Jupiter. Jupiter rises a‘ about 5.5, 4.25 and 3.45 a.m. on Jun' 1, 16 and 30. and is the brightest stai in the whole morning sky.