ASTRONOMY WITH AN OPERA-GLASS 



523 



variable stars. I have already mentioned the positions of the princi- 

 pal stars in the imaginary figure of the great hunter. I may add that 

 his upraised right arm and club are represented by the stars seen in 

 the map above Alpha (a) or Betelgeuse, one of which is marked Nu 

 (v) and another, in the knob of the club, Chi (x). I have also, in 

 speaking of Aldebaran, described the contrast in the colors of Betel- 

 geuse and Beta {fS) or Rigel. Betelgeuse, it may be remarked, is 

 slightly variable. Sometimes it appears brighter than Rigel, and 

 sometimes less brilliant. It is interesting to note that according to 

 Secchi's division of the stars into types, based upon their spectra, Betel- 

 geuse falls into the third order, which seems to represent a type of 

 suns in which the process of cooling, and the formation of an absorp- 

 tive envelope or shell have gone on so far that we may regard them as 

 approaching the point of extinction. Rigel, on the other hand, be- 

 longs to the first order or type which represents suns that are proba- 

 bly both hotter and younger in the order of development. So, then, we 

 may look upon the two chief stars of this great constellation as repre- 

 senting two stages of cosmical existence. Betelgeuse shows us a sun 

 that has almost run its course, that has passed into its decline, and that 

 already begins to faint and flicker and grow dim before the on-coming 

 and inevitable fate of extinction ; but in Rigel we see a sun blazing 

 with the fires of youth, splendid in the first glow of its solar energies, 

 and holding the promise of the future yet before it. Rigel belongs to 

 a new generation of the universe ; Betel- 

 geuse to the universe that is passing. We 

 may pursue this comparison one step far- 

 ther back and see in the great nebula, which 

 glows dimly in the middle of the constel- 

 lation, between Rigel triumphant and Be- 

 telgeuse languishing, a still earlier cos- 

 mical condition — the germ of suns whose 

 infant rays may illuminate space when 

 Rigel itself is growing dim. 



Turn your glass upon the three stars 

 forming the Belt. You will not be likely 

 to undertake to count all the twinkling 

 lights that you will see, especially as many 

 of them appear and disappear as you turn 

 your attention to different parts of the 

 field. Sweep all around the Belt and also 

 between the Belt and Gamma (y) or Bel- 

 latrix. According to the old astrologers, 

 women born under the influence of the star Bellatrix were lucky, and 

 provided with good tongues. Of course this was fortunate for their 

 husbands. 



Below the belt will be seen a short row of stars hansfing: downward 



The Sword of Orion and the 

 Great Nebula. 



