36 



♦ KNOWLEDGE ♦ 



[December 1, 1886. 



seen as a cross in the northern hemisphere. This we shall 

 see more clearly in studying later maps. 



Passing ftirther south still, our traveller finds the south 

 pole risino', the north having now passed out of view. The 

 pole star — I mean our northern jiole star — cannot be seen 

 further south than latitude ] ^ 50', and then only through 

 the refractive action of the air. and when the yiole star is 



is no conspicuous star close by the pole. If the night is 

 very clear and dark, however, the traveller will be able to 

 detect, close by the south point of the horizon, determined 

 as I have just indicated, three small stars in a row. These 

 are very close to the true pole, and will be seen to occupy 

 the same region all through the night, only altering in po.si- 

 tion, like the hand of a small dial set just above the 



The XiGHT Skies ix tub .soiihern- Hcmisphere (Lat. 46° to 24° S ) and the Southern Skies in England 

 (Upper Half of Map only).— For Index Map see opposite page. 



at its greatest distance above the pole as seen in northern 

 latitudes. In February, for a short time after sunset, the 

 traveller when a degree or so south of the equator can see 

 the pole star above a sea horizon, marking almost exactly 

 the north point of the horizon. The point of the horizon 

 .almost exactly opposite is at this time about a degree and a 

 half below the true south pole of the heavens. But there 



southern horizon. It is as well to identify these small stars 

 at this favourable time, when the observer, being a degree 

 or so south of the equator, sees them close to the horizon. 

 Later the observer may only be able to detect them with 

 some difficulty. 



Travelling farther south the south pole rises higher and 

 higher, until, when in latitude 38° south, the stellar skies 



