THE NIGHT SKY IN JANUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 66

THE NIGHT SKY IN JANUARY.

The Star Chart below is specially prepared for the Witness by Mr J. T.. Ward, Director of the Wanganui Observatory.

The stars and other celestial bodies are shown on the above chart as they may be seen in the sky at about 8.50 p.m. of the 15th. £he observer being aware that any star rises and comes to the meridian about four minutes earlier each succeeding evening, will see that for an earlier date than the above he must look later, and for a later date earlier in the evening by that amount, if he would see the stars as depicted above. The chart as printed suits for the northern view, turn it upside down for the southern, and on its side for the east or the west, in each case the sign of compass direction at bottom, and the cross at centre of chart standing for the point overhead. By comparing the above with the chart for December it will be seen that several constellations then visible in the west have now set, while others, not then to be seen, have now made their appearance in the eastern sky. In the north we see Taurus and the Pleiades and Hyades ? near the meridian ; the latter group distinguished by the fine red star Aldebaran. Orion more to the east and higher, with Lepus over him again. In the north-east is Gemini, and the two bright stars Castor and Pollux. Cancer and the pretty cluster Paacaepe, or the Beehive, are slightly above, and to the east. Eridanus and the fine star Achernar are high in the heavens to the west of the zenith and meridian. The Southern Cross and the pointers Alpha and Beta Centauri are now rising into

prominence in the south-eastern sky, and Argo may be seen over those, the fine star Canopus being high in the southern sky at this time. The fine star Sirius, -in Canis Major, is now high in the sky to the south of east. Capricornus and Aquarius are now setting in the west, while .Hydra is to be seen getting its freat length above the eastern horizon, 'egasus and part of Andromeda are near the north-western horizon, with Pisces over them, and, still higher, Cetus, while Aries and the Northern Triangle lie to the west of the meridian, looking north. The bright planets Mars and Saturn are both situated in the north-western sky, over Aries and Taurus. Mars has been a disappointing object, owing to his want of a fair altitude, at this opposition, but Saturn has been seen on several occasions to great advantage, his ring system being now well placed for the telescopic observer. The Moon is not visible at the time for which this chart is drawn, but will be seen again on the 22nd, in Aquarius, in Pisces on the 23rd, Aries on the 26th, and Taurus on the 29th, and till the end of the month.

Comet Brookes has been observed during December. It rises clear of the horizon about 10 p.m., but is really circumpolar, though difficult in the telescope until about the above,hour owing to the haze near the horizon. A fairly powerful telescope, four inch or higher, is needed to show it well. Its position is slightly south of the star Pi Lupi.