ASTRONOMICAL NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1928, Page 1

ASTRONOMICAL NOTES

FOR DFCFMDER, 1028

The sun will enter the zodiacal sign Capriconnis <m December 22m1, when the solstice occurs; this will lie tlio longest <l:iv oT tin* venr in tho Southern Hemisphere, the sun being above the horizon for In hours 27 minutes. The meridan altitude ol tlio sun will be I'Akleg. nf’min. lor the latitude ol ( liristehurcli and the distance ol the* earth from the sun will be about hi, 170,000 miles. The planet .Mercury rises on December Ist at 4.20 a.m.; it is approaching the sun, with which body it will be. in superior conjunction on December 18th : towards the close of the month it will set about half an hour alter the sun. well to the south of west. Venus sets on December Ist at 10.48 p.m. and on December loth at 1.0.40 p.m. Mnis rises on December Ist at 10.11 p.m. and on December loth at 8.58 p.m. Jupiter rises on these dates at 4.28 p.m. and 3.29 p.m. respectively. Saturn sets on December Ist at 8.37 p.m.; O will he in conjunction with the sun mi December 13th when its distance from the earth will ho about 102,1 million miles; it will become visible in the eastern sky towards the end of the month. An oecnltation of the planet Mars by the moon, visible in Ohristchui eh. will occur on December 2(»th ; the planet and moon will rise close together on that day at 7.18 p.m. and will he in a line with the earth at 8.30 p.m. -Mars will he in opposition with the sun on December 21st. when its apparent magnitude will he -1-1 or only one-fifth o' a magnitude fainter than Sinius. U will he at its least distance from the earth on December 15th, when the two bodies will he about 54,400,000 miles apart.