THE NIGHT SKY IN OCTOBER

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 15, 13 October 1909, Page 42

THE NIGHT SKY IN OCTOBER

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

Vry HE stars and other celestial bodies j I | aay shown on the above chart I ax’ chey may be seen about 8 p.m. of the I.sth. The 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 for the above presentation, while for a later date earlier by about four minutes for eaeh day. If the chart is held for any other than the northern part of the heavens then that part towards- which the observer is looking will be found to correspond with

the chart if the compas direction on the chart is placed underneath. By comparing the above chart with that lor September it will be seen that several constellations then visible' in the western sky have now disappeared, while others not then seen have now risen in the eastern sky. Turning towards the north we see Cygnus to the left and Pegasus to the right, with Aquarius, Capricornus, and Pisces, the Southern Fishes, near the zenith. Pisces, the Northern Fishes, is over Pegasus and Aries just rising, with Cetus towards the east now well up in the eky. Eridanus may

be seen stretching from the eastern point .well away towards the south. The Phoenix and Toucan are over the River with Grus the Southern Crane near the Zenith. Argo, the Ship, may be seen between the south and southeast, while the cross is getting low down on the south-west, followed by the “Pointers” and the rest of the Centaur. Pavo, the Peacock, Ara and the Triangle are over the Centaur and in the west the- Scorpion is seen getting down towards the horizon followed by Sagittarius. Ophiuchus and . Serpens have partly set, while over the north-west we see Aquila and the last of Lyra. The planets Mars and Saturn may be seen in the north-eastern skv. The ruddy planet Mars easily "•claims hie

identity, shining brilliantly in Pisces, Saturn of a yellowish hue is the bright star some distance beneath him. Mars, just past opposition is a most interesting object in the telescope at this time. His south polar cap is now’ very considerably diminished, while all the interesting features of his surface markings may now be looked for in a telescope of fair aperture. Saturn has been seen with exquisite < sharpness on several occasions this ap- < paration. His rings, now w’ell opened, offer one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens, and one that should not be missed by those having access to a telescope of fair aperture. The moon is not now visible. Venus is a beautiful object in the western sky earlier in thel evening. ■ ’ in*