524 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



and representing the sword. In the middle of this row is the great 

 Orion nebuhi. The star Theta (6) involved in the nebula is multiple 

 and the position of this little cluster of suns is such that, as has been 

 said, they seem to be feeding upon the substance of the nebula surround- 

 ing them. Other stars are seen scattered in diflFerent parts of the nebula. 

 This j)lKMiomenon can be plainly seen with an opera-glass. Our })icture of 

 the Sword of Orion shows its appearance with a good field-glass. 

 With such a glass several line test-objects will be found in the Sword. 

 One of the best of these is formed by the two five-pointed stars seen 

 in the picture close together above the nebula. No difficulty will be 

 encountered in separating these stars with a field-glass, but it Avill re- 

 quire a little sharp watching to detect the small star between the two 

 and just above the line joining them. So, the bending row of faint 

 stars above and to the right of the group just described will be 

 found rather elusive as individuals, though easily glimpsed as a whole. 

 Of the great nebula itself not much detail can be seen. Yet by avert- 

 ing the eyes the extension of the nebulous light in every direction 

 from the center can be detected and traced, under favorable circum- 

 stances, to a considerable distance. The changes that this nebula has 

 certainly undergone in the brilliancy, if not in the form, of different 

 parts of it, ai'e perhaps indications of the operation of forces, which 

 we know must prevail there, and whose tendency can only be in the 

 direction of condensation, and the ultimate formation of future suns 

 and worlds. Yet, as the appearance of the nebula in great tele- 

 scopes shows, we can not expect that the processes of creation will 

 here produce a homologue of our solar system. The curdled appear- 

 ance of the nebula indicates the formation of various centers of con- 

 densation the final result of which will doubtless be a group of stars 

 like some of those which we see in the heavens, and whose common 

 motion shows that they are bound together in the chains of reciprocal 

 gravitation. The Pleiades are an example of such a group. 



Do not fail to look for a little star just west of Rigel, and which, 

 with a good opera-glass, appears to be almost hidden in the flashing 

 rays of its brilliant companion. If you have also a field-glass, after 

 you have detected this shy little twinkler with your opera-glass, try 

 the larger glass upon it. You will find then that the little star origi- 

 nally seen is not the only one there. A still smaller star, which had 

 before been completely hidden, will now be perceived. I may add that, 

 with telescopes, Rigel is one of the most beautiful double stars in the 

 sky, having a little blue companion close under its wing. Run your 

 glass along the line of little stars forming the lion's skin or shield that 

 Orion opi)Oses to the onset of Taurus. Here you will find some inter- 

 esting combinations, and the star marked on the map tt^ will especially 

 attract your eye, because it is accompanied, al)out fifteen minutes to 

 the northwest, by a seventh -magnitude star of a remarkably rich 

 orange hue. 



