THE NIGHT SKY IN SEPTEMBER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 52

THE NIGHT SKY IN SEPTEMBER.

This chart is specially prepared for the Otago Witness and the Otago Daily Times

by Mr J T. Ward, Director of the Wanganui Observatory.

The stars and ether celestial bodies are shown on the above chart as they may be seen in the ekj; at about 8 p.m. of the 15th. 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 ths 15th he must look at a later hour for the same appearance as shown on the cha.rt, and for a later date at an earlier hour -in the evening, allowing four minutes, nearly, for every day. If the chart is held with that point of the compass underneath corresponding with .the direction in which the observer's attention is directed, then the stars will be seen as depicted on the chart. In comparing the above chart with that published for August, it will be seen that several constellations then visible in the west have now disappeared, while several others have come into view in the eastern sky. Turning to the north we see that Cygnus, the swan, is now on the meridian low down with Aquilla, the eagle, 'a little west and higher. The great square of Pegasus has risen in the north-east, and the little Dolphin lies over Cygnus. Pisces, just now the r-esting place of the red planet Mars, is slightly east of Pegasus, with Cetus just sottth of the east point. Aquarius and Capricornus are over

Pisces, and the southern Fisher, with the bright sta- Fomalhaut, to the right with Grus, the crane. The long trailing line of Eridanus, the river, with the bright star Achcrnar is on the south-east, with Phcenix and Toucan, Hydrus and the two Magellanic clouds. Low down, east of south, the brightest of Argo, Canopus, will be seen scintillating brilliantly, while the Cross and the two " Pointers " Alpha and Beta, of the Centaur, are seen moving down towards the south-western quadrant. Libra is near the horizon in the west, followed at some distance by the Scorpion and Sagittarius near the zenith. The intertwined form of Ophiuchus and Serpens, with Hercules, fill up the north-west quadrant, with Lyra and the brilliant Vega low down west of the northern meridian. The planet Mars is now the prime object of attraction, his brilliant presence securing the attention of the most casual ob^ ! server. Seen in the telescope at 1 the obI servatorv, he is a most interesting object. j The southern polar cap is diminishing j rapidly, the dark border being very prominent at this time to the north of the' cap. On the evening of the 24th the ' sun, earth, and Mars will be in line in the order given, when the planet will be at its most favourable position for abservations, and the disc at its greatest angular | diameter.