The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is now nearing the point overhead, the Pointers (α and β) aiming almost directly downward toward the Pole Star. The line from this star (α of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) to the Guardians (β and γ) is now in the position of the minute hand of a clock about 13 minutes after an hour.

Cepheus lies north, low down, Cassiopeia on his left, the Camelopard above her, Andromeda just setting, almost due northwest, on the left. Perseus is due northwest, rather low, the Charioteer (Auriga) on his left, but higher. Setting between west and northwest we see the Bull (Taurus), with the Pleiades and the ruddy Aldebaran. Orion is almost prone in his descent toward his western grave. The Twins (Gemini) are due west, in the mid-heavens; the Little Dog (Canis Minor) beside them on their left, the Crab (Cancer) above, the Greater Dog (Canis Major) below, chasing the Hare (Lepus) below the horizon. Just behind the Dog the poop of the Great Ship (Argo) is also setting.

The Sea Serpent (Hydra) now shows his full length, rearing his head high in the south. Observe the darkness of the region around his heart, marked by the star α, Alfard, the Solitary One. The Cup (Crater) and Crow (Corvus) stand on his back.

The Sickle in the Lion (Leo) now stands with handle upright, due south. Below the tail stars of the Lion we see the Virgin (Virgo), with the bright Spica Azimech. The set of five third magnitude stars, above, was called by the Arabs, for reasons not explained, the "Retreat of the Howling She Dog."

Behind the Lion, due east and high up, we see Coma Berenices, the hair of Queen Berenice, between which and the tail of the Great Bear we see in the chart one star only of the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici).

The Herdsman (Boötes), still on his back, pursues in that striking and effective position the Great Bear. Below the shoulder stars of the Herdsman we see the Crown (Corona Borealis), near which, on the right, low down and due east, the head of the Serpent (Serpens) is rising. Hercules is also rising, but in the northeast.

Lastly, the stars of the Dragon (Draco) can be seen curving from between the Pointers and the Pole, round the Little Bear, then back toward Hercules, the head of the Dragon, with the bright eyes, β and γ, being rather low down, and somewhat north of northeast.

MAP IV. NIGHT SKY.—MARCH AND APRIL.

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.

MAP V. NIGHT SKY.—APRIL AND MAY.

NIGHT SKY.—APRIL AND MAY

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is now at its highest and nearly overhead, the pointers aiming downward from high up, slightly west of due north. A line from the Pole Star, (α of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) to the Guardians of the Pole, (β and γ) is now in the position of the minute hand of a clock 8 minutes after an hour.

Below the Little Bear we find Cepheus low down to the east of north, and Cassiopeia low down to the west of north. Perseus, the Rescuer, is setting in the northwest; the Camelopard is above, trying to get on his feet.

The Charioteer (Auriga), with the bright Capella, is nearing the northwestern horizon, followed by the Twins (Gemini), in the west. Further west and higher we find the Crab (Cancer), below which is the Little Dog (Canis Minor).

The southwestern sky is very barren of bright stars. Alfard, the heart of the Sea Serpent, Hydra, shines here alone in a great blank space. Above the Sea Serpent's head we see the Sickle in the Lion, Leo himself stretching his tail to due south, very high up. Coma Berenices is close by, and the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici) between Coma and the Great Bear.

In the south, lower down, we find the Crow (Corvus), and the Cup (Crater), on the Serpent's back; the Virgin (Virgo), extending in the mid-heavens from southeast to south, between the Lion's tail and the Crow. In the same direction, but low down, we find the head and body of the Centaur (Centaurus), supposed to have typified the patriarchal Noah.

In the southeast the Scorpion's heart has just risen, and between the head of Scorpio and the Virgin's robes we see the stars of the Scales (Libra).

Due east, low down, is the Serpent-Holder (Ophiuchus), on his back—it is the customary attitude of heavenly bodies when rising. The Serpent (Serpens) held by him is seen curving upward toward the Crown (Corona Borealis). The Serpent's head is due west, and above it we see the bright Arcturus, chief brilliant of the Herdsman (Boötes).

In the northeast is Hercules, his head close to the head of the Serpent-Holder. Beneath his feet is the Lyre (Lyra) with the brilliant Vega; and the Swan (Cygnus) has already half risen above the northeastern horizon.

Lastly, the Dragon (Draco) curves from between the Pointers and the Pole, round the Guardians toward Cepheus, and then retorts its head, with gleaming eyes (β and γ), toward the heel of Hercules.

Страница 4 из 8

Назад 1…3 4 5…8 Далее