LUNAR ECLIPSE AND OTHER PHENOMENA. 73 



and Saturn, were ranged in line in Virgo. If the Earth left its orbit, it managed 

 to find it again. Many similar conjunctions are on record. (See Chamber's As- 

 tronomy, pp. 4.8-49.) 



Have the astrologers heard of this eternal law? If the mass of each planet 

 be multiplied by the square of the tangent of the orbit's inclination to a fixed plane, 

 and this product by the square root of the mean distance, the sum of the products 

 thus formed will be INVARIABLE."— Z« Grange. 



This is the law of the invariable plane ; it lies near the orbit of Jupiter, and 

 insures the stability of the solar system. Instead of fearing the planets, we love 

 their solemn influence, and at midnight hold communion with them, while watch- 

 ing the transits, eclipses and revolutions of their satellites. In place of ascribing to 

 them baneful influence on man, we think their contemplation will make men better, 

 and inspire all who study the laws of their motion with exalted sentiment. We see 

 nothing in planetary position on June 19th, or at any other time, to cause man 

 to distrust nature. And we are willing to place full confidence in those admirable 

 laws that are known to rule with rigor every movement of that vast machine, the 

 solar system. 



Note. — To Students in School just beginning Astronomy : Should it be desired 

 to use this diagram at noon on June 19th, proceed as follows : Lay the Review 

 on a table as before, the north point toward the south. Procure two straight sticks, 

 say one of walnut and the other of pine; lay them on the table side by side, in 

 direction north and south. They will be nearly in the plane of Solstitial Colure 

 — exactly next day. "Look on a map and find your latitude. Tie a string to the 

 pine stick, pass the other end of the cord over the hanging lamp, and draw up the 

 end of the stick in degrees equal to the latitude, and make it fast. The stick will 

 be parallel to the Earth's axis, and will be pointing to the pole of the heavens. 

 This is because the altitude of the pole equals the latitude of the place. Elevate 

 the north end of the walnut stick in the same manner, but suspend it 23^^° below 

 the pine stick. It will point to the pole of the ecHptic. It will be noted that the 

 pole of the heavens is between the pole of the ecliptic and the Sun, because the 

 planes are inchned, and because the pole of the Earth leans toward Cancer. Hold 

 the engraving close to the walnut stick, at right angles to it, and the whole solar 

 system in its position at noon, in relation to your own meridian, will be delineated. 



May 15TH, 1881. 



LUNAR ECLIPSE AND OTHER PHENOMENA FOR JUNE, 1881. 



BY W. W. ALEXANDER. 



Total ecHpse of the moon June nth and 12th, 1881 : 



d. ' h. m. 

 Moon enters Penumbra, June . ... 11 9. 56.5 Kansas City mean time. 



Moon enters shadow 11 10. 52.3 " " 



Total eclipse begins . . 11 11. 54.6 " " 



Middle of eclipse 12 00. 35.5 " " 



