528 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



To our eyes, Canopus is only about half as bright as Sirius, and it ranks 

 as the second star in the heavens in the order of brightness. But while 

 Sirius's distance is measurable, that of Canopus is so unthinkably im- 

 mense that astronomers can get no grip upon it. If it were only twice 

 as remote as Sirius it would be equal to two of the latter, but the 

 probability is its distance is much greater than that. And possibly 

 even Canopus is not the greatest gem in the coronet of creation. 



East and south of Canis Major, which, by the way, is fabled to 

 represent one of Orion's hounds, is part of the constellation Argo, 

 which stands for the ship in which Jason sailed in search of the golden 

 fleece. The observer will find many objects of interest here, although 

 some of them are so close to the horizon in our latitudes that much of 

 their brilliancy is lost. Note the two stars ^ and i? near the lower edge 

 of the map, then sweep slowly over the space lying between them. 

 About half-way your attention will be arrested by a remarkable ar- 

 rangement of stars, in which a beautiful half-circle of small stars curv- 

 ing above a larger one, which is reddish in color, is conspicuous. This 

 neighborhood will be found rich in stars that the naked eye can not see. 

 Just below the star r] in Canis Majoris is another fine group. The 

 star TT, which is deep yellow or orange, has three little stars above it, 

 two of which form a pretty pair. The star ^ has a companion, which 

 forms a fine test for an opera-glass, and is well worth looking for. 

 Look also at the cluster 93 M, just above and to the west of |. The 

 stars 7/ and k are seen double with an opera-glass. 



The two neighboring clusters, 46 M and 38\ are very interesting 

 objects. To see them well, use a powerful field-glass. A "fiery fifth- 

 magnitude star," as Webb calls it, can be seen in the field at the same 

 time. The presence of the Milky- Way is manifest by the sprinkling 

 of stars all about this region. 



Turning now to the constellation Monoceros, we shall find a few 

 objects worthy of attention. This constellation is of comparatively 

 modern origin, having been formed by Bartschius, whose chief title to 

 distinction is that he married the daughter of John Kepler. The region 

 around the stars 8, 13, and 17 Avill be found particularly rich, and the 

 cluster 2^ shows well with a strong glass. Look also at the cluster 

 50 M, and compare its appearance with that of the clusters in Argo. 



With these constellations we finish our review of the celestial won- 

 ders that lie within the reach of so humble an instrument as an opera- 

 or field-glass. We have made the circuit of the sky, and the hosts 

 that illumine the vernal heavens are now seen advancing from the 

 east, and pressing close upon the brighter squadrons of winter. Their 

 familiar figures resemble the faces of old friends whom we are glad to 

 welcome. These starry acquaintances never grow wearisome. Their 

 interest for us is as fathomless as the deeps of space in which they 

 shine. The man never yet lived whose mind could comprehend the 

 full meaning of the wondrous messages that they flash to us upon the 



