THE NIGHT SKY IN AUGUST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 38

THE NIGHT SKY IN AUGUST.

The stars, planets, etc.. are depicted on the above chart, as they were on the 15th of August at about 8 p.m. The observer, being aware that any star rises about four minutes earlier every succeeding evening, -will find that for a later date than that given the heavens will present the same appearance at an earlier hour ot the. reverse for an eailier date. The observer should hold the chart with that point of the compass drawn on the chart held downwards and towards the same point on the horizon, then the stars will be correctly placed for the position indicated. It will be seen by compaiing the August chart with that of July that several constellations visible in the July drawing have almost or entirely disappeared below the western horizon, and that several others have mad© their appearance on the eastern horizon not &een in that chart.

Turning to ,the north, Hercules will be seen to th« west of the meridian and Lyra, with the fine star Vega, to the east of the same place ; over these may be teen Ophiuchus and Serpens, while the ScorSion and Sagittarius are nearer the Zenith, ygnus — the sw&n — is just getting well above the horizon towards the north-east. The forward star of this constellation is a fine double of yellowish and greenish blue hue respectively ; a very pretty object when seen in a good astronomical telescope.

In the east, Pegasus and Cetus may be seen rising with Aquarius now well above the horizon, and Capricornus above him. Eridanus — the river — containing the fine star Acbcrnar, will be seen over the southeast, and nearly due south Canopus ishines brilliantly low down, his many changing hues being especially roticeable at this season owing to the light from this great and distant sun being so distorted on its passage through the greater depth of our atmosphere. Above Argo will be seen the Crass, attended by the two bright stars of the Centaur, Alpha and Beta, the •'Pointers." In the west, Hydra is getting well down, only the last of Water Snake's tail being visible, with Corvus also near its setting. Virgo and Libra are also drawing down towards the west, and Bootes, with the fine star Aicturus, even closer to his seasonal disappearance. The two Magellanic clouds, with many of the smaller southern constellations,- are now placed well for observation, and possessors, of no greater optical aid than a good field glass would find a wealth of detail in this part of the sky and this region of the milky way. Uranus is still the only planetplaced for observation at the time given : Jupiter and Mars too near the sun, and Venus must be looked for in the morning before sunrise. Saturn rises later in the evening, and the moon is near her rising in Pisces.