THE NIGHT SKY IN MARCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 10, 9 March 1910, Page 14

THE NIGHT SKY IN MARCH.

THE STAR CHART BELOW IS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THE “N.Z. CP * ’’HIC” BY MR. J. T. WARD, DIRECTOR OF, THE WANGANUI OBSERVATG...

THE above chart is designed to show the stars and other celestial bodies as they may be seen in the sky on the 15th of the month at about 8.30 p.m. The observer, being aware that any star rises and comes to the meridian about four minutes earlier on every succeeding evening, will see that for an earlier date than the 15th, ho must look later, and for a later date earlier by about four minutes for each day, if he desires to see the stars as shown on above chart.' The centre of chart represents the point overhead, and the boundary the horizon, and the observer should hold that part downwards to correspond by compass point with the direction in which he is observing.

Mg eaaiparing the above chart with

that drawn for February, it will be seen that several constellations then visible in our western sky have now passed below the horizon, while others not then visible have now made their appearance in the eastern skies. Turning towards the north, wo find Gemini to the left and Canier and Lynx to the right of the meridian. Canis Minor, with the bright star Procyon, is almost due north and above Gemini. In the north-east is Leo, with Regulus, the brightest star, at the top of the Sickle. Virgo Is due east, with the bright star Splea, and over this constellation may be seen Crater, the Cup, and Corvus, the Crow, with the long trailing form of Hydra, the iWatef Snake, above them. In the south-east is the Centaur and Lupus, with the Cross above the two bright stars, Alpha

-and Beta of the Centaur; Ara anC She Triangle is further to the south, with Pavo right over the south point, low down. Hydrus and The Touean, with part of Grus, the Crane, are on the west of the southern meridian, with Phoenix and Eridanus and the brilliant Achernar in the south-west. Cetus is low down in the west, Argo is over the southern pole, and near the zenith the fine star Canopus, appearing very bright in its present position. 'Paurus is approaching the horizon in the north-west, the Pleiades being just about to set at this time. Over Taurus is the fine constellation Orion,' and above this again Lepus and Columba. The brilliant Sirius in Canis Major is over these again, the finest stars being now ail visible and nearly in a line across the heavens from

the Aldebaran in the north-west to Alpha Centauri in the south-east.

Mars is in Taurus, moving east through this constellation during the month. r The moon at this time is in the crescent stage, rather west of the Pleiades. Jupiter is in Virgo, rising in the eastern sky, and forming a most interesting spectacle at this time to the possessors of a moderate-sized astronomical telescope. Possessors of good hand telescopes will find him very interesting, his four larger moons being within the reach of sueh an instrument.' Halley’s Comet has now. set. It is approaching the sun rapidly, and will not now be visible until 'it emerges as a morning object in April, when it will be visible in the eastern sky before sunrise. ,