THE NIGHT SKY IN NOVEMBER

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 20, 17 November 1909, Page 41

THE NIGHT SKY IN NOVEMBER

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

THE stars, planets, and other celestial bodies are shown on the above chart as they may Ire seen in the sky on the lath at about 8 to 8.30 p.m. The observer, Hieing aware that any star rises and. comes to the meridian about four minmtes earlier each succeeding evening, twill see that for an earlier- date he must Hook later for the same appearance, while for a later date at an earlier fliour by about four minutes for each kiay. The chart should be held with ’the compass point underneath the centre to correspond with the direction in which the observer is looking. By comparing the above chart with that tor October, it will be seen that several constellations then visible in the

western sky have now set, whik> others not then visible have now come into view above the eastern horizon. Turning to the North, -we find the Great Square of Pegasus planted nearly fairly across the meridian with part of Andromeda on the lower right of the figure. Part of Cygnus may be seen setting in the north-west, with the Dolphin lying above the Aquarius still higher. On the north-east the Northern Triangle is seen lying low with Aries and Pisces above, and still higher Cetus. Taurus has nearly cleared tile (horizon further east, the pretty groups of the Pleiades and the Hyades being in full view at this time. Orion is not quite clear of the horizon in the east, with Lepus above him, and the long trailing shape of Eridanus reach-

ing up to near the Zenith. Canis Major and the brilliant Sirius lie between the east and south-east, and Argo more round to the south, with the brilliant Canopus now rising into a more prominent position under Dorando, and the two Magellanic Clouds. The Cross is nearly due south, with the two bright “Pointers,” Alpha and Beta Centaure, and above these the Southern Triangle Ara, Pavo, Hydrus, and the Toucan, with Grus and Phoenix reaching up to the Zenith. In the south-west Scorpio lias partly set with Sagittarius, Capricornus, and Aquarius following, and rather north of this may be seen Aquila with the bright star Altair approaching the horizon. The Moon, as a slender crescent, is at this time in Scorpio, but will have set at the time mentioned

above. "Venus is a beautiful object dg Sagittarius, and presents a phase i* the telescope similar to that of th* Moon at first quarter. Mars is in Pisces, and is still an attractive object to the possessor of a good-sized telescope. Saturn is to the east of Mars, also in Pisces, and is a very interesting object at this time, his ring system being favourably placed for the telescopic observer. Halley's Comet.—This interesting visitor is at present situated between Gamma Orionis and Aldebaran, and he will be near the latter star at the end of the month, but not visible, the photographic plate attached to a great lightgathering telescope being necessary at the groat distance at which he is at present placed.