SUN AND PLANETS FOR AUGUST, 1883. 241 
ASTRONOMY. 
SUN AND PLANETS FOR AUGUST, 1883. 
W. DAWSON, SPICELAND, IND. 
The Sun's apparent annual motion around the Earth brings him on August 
ist to Right Ascension 8h. 46m., and on the 31st loh. 38m. His north dedina- 
tion on the ist is 18° 00'; on the 31st 8° 36'; the change being nearly two hours 
ofR. A., 9° 24' of Declination. Solar spots have been quite numerous during 
July ; and bid fair to make a fine show in August. During the first week in July 
a group of two or three large spots was very plainly visible to the naked eye — 
protected by a shade-glass. It attracted much attention, and was seen by many 
persons. 
The constellation of Scorpio is still conspicuous in the southern sky, bearing 
•westward as the month advances. Its principal star, the bright red Antares, 
souths on August ist, at 7:35 P. M,, and about four minutes earlier each succeed- 
ing day through the month. Alpha Lyrae, the bright star near zenith, crosses 
the meridian at 9:46 on the ist, and the usual four minutes earlier on following 
days. Mercury is evening star this month; and about the 24th it is in near 
company with Uranus. Moving eastward Mercury becomes barely visible to the 
naked eye by the last of the month, a little south of west. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, 
■Saturn, and Neptune, are all morning stars. The moon will pass among them 
the last week in August, making scenery of much interest to those who are fond 
of observing the heavens in the early mornings of summer. Soon after 5 A. M. 
of the 24th, she passes over Neptune, which would have been an interesting oc. 
■cultation had it occured two hours earlier. The next day soon after noon she 
passes Saturn, and a little before noon of the 27th, near Mars, visits Jupiter on 
the 28th about midnight, and Venus near the last hour of the month — being then 
near the Sun, or New Moon, which occurs seven hours afterward. 
Saturn is near the bright star Aldebaran in the Hyades group, Taurus. In 
the morning of the 13th, the planet will be 3° 40' north of the star. Mars moves 
rapidly eastward, and is below Saturn an hour or so; being the only bright star 
in the neighborhood it will be easy to recognize. During the first week in August 
Jupiter may be seen low in the NE. , or rather E. NE. near the boundary of 
Gemini and Cancer ; in the early morning. It will rise higher every day — being 
near two hours high at morning dawn the last of the month. His four moons 
•can then be seen with a spy -glass one and one-half inches aperture. 
