THE NIGHT SKY IN MAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 35

THE NIGHT SKY IN MAY.

The Star Chart below is specially prepared for the Witness by Mr J. T. "WakD* Director of the Wanganui Observatory.

The stars, planets, and other celestial > bodies are shown on the above chart J as they may be seen in the evening sky ' about 8.30 of the 15th. The observer being aware that any star rises and comes to the meridian about four minutes earlier each succeeding evening, will see that for a later date than the above he must look earlier, and for an earlier date later in the evening by this amount to find the stars disposed as shown on above chart. Looking north the chart will serve as printed. It should be reversed for the southern view) and held on its side for east and west, the compass point on circumference always underneath. If this chart is compared with that drawn for April it will be seen that several constellations then visible in our eastern skies have now disappeared, while several others not then visible have now made their appearance in the eastern sky. Looking north it will be seen that the two small constellations Canes Venatici and Leo Minor are on either side of the meridian, with Regulus and the rest of Leo Major higher to the left, Virgo and its bright Spica to the right, and higher over those will be seen Hydra, the Water

Snake, with Crater and. Corvus. Bootes and the brilliant Arcturus will be seen in the north-east, the Crown to the right; further towards the east is Hercules, just rising, and Serpens and Ophiuchus with Libra over these. The Scorpion will be seen now well up in the south-east, and Sagittarius following Indus and Pavo, with Toucan, are on the east of southern meridian, while Eridanus and Hydrus are on the west, Achernar being low down at this time. The Cross is now high up over the Pole, the "Pointers" Alpha and Beta Gentauri being underneath and to the left, the Triangle under these again. Canis Major and the brilliant Sirius are low down in the west, with Argo above and the bright star Canopus towards the southwest. Cancer and Canis Minor, with Procyon are at the north-west with the head of Hydra above them. Jupiter ia the only one of the bright planets now visible in our evening skies. He will be seen over the south-east and under the fine red star Antares, in Scorpio. The Moon is not in the sky at this time.