THE NIGHT SKY IN SEPTEMBER

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 11, 15 September 1909, Page 14

THE NIGHT SKY IN SEPTEMBER

THE STAR CHART BELOW IS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THE “N.Z. GRAPHIC” BY MR. J. T. WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE WANGANUI OBSERVATORY.

THE stars and other celestial bodies are shown on the above chart as about 8 p.m. of the 15th. The they may be seen in the sky at 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 15th, he must look later in the evening for the same appearance, while for a later date earlier by about four minutes for each day. If the chart is held to show the southern aspect it must be reversed. In any case the compass point that corresponds with the direction under Observation must be underneath, then the chart which show the stars as they appear

in the sky. By comparing the above chart with that for August it will be seen that several constellations then visible in the western sky have now disappeared, which others have now come into view above the eastern horizon. Turning to the north we see that Cygnus, the Swan, is now on the meridian, with Aquila, the Eagle, a little west of it and higher. The Great Square of Pegasus has risen in the north-east, and the little Dolphin lies over Cygnus. Pisces, just now the abode of the red planet Mars, is slightly east of Pegasus, with Cetus just south of the east point. Aquarius and Capricornus are over Pisces and the southern Fishes, with the bright star

Fomalhaut to the right with Grus, ths Southern Crane. The long trailing shape of Eridanus the River, with the bright star Achernar, is in the south-east with Phoenix and Toucan, Hydrus, and the two Magellanic Clouds. Low down, east of south, Canopus, the brightest of Argo, may be seen, while slightly to the right the Cross and the two bright “pointers” may now be seen working down towards their lower transit. Centaurus is conspicuous over the south-west, with the Triangle above it. Libra is near the horizon in the west, followed at some distance by the Scorpion and Sagittarius near the zenith. The interlaced forms of Ophiuchus and Serpens with Hercules

fill the north-west quadrant, with Lyra and the brilliant Vega low down west of the northern meridian. The planet Mars is now the prime object of attraction, his brilliant presence securing the attention of the most casual observers; seen in the telescope at this time he is a most interesting object. His southern polar cap is disappearing rapidly, while the dark bordering around it is especially prominent at this opposition. On the evening of the 24th the three bodies—the Sun, Earth and Mars—will be in line—the earth, of course, in the centre—and telescopists should lose no opportunity of scrutinising our neighbours interesting surface at this time.