206 Planets of the Month ; Double Star ; Occultations. 



PLANETS OF THE MONTH. 



We have so long been without the charm of planets in our 

 evening skies, that we shall hail their return with pleasure 

 during the present month. Jupiter and Saturn have now come 

 back to us. Saturn will be in opposition to the sun on April 4, 

 and therefore on the meridian at midnight, between a and 7 

 Virginis, but some way N. of the joining line. His rising will be 

 then about 6^h. The ring is becoming broader every season — 

 its proportions being now about 43^" by 29", so that its mar- 

 vellous details are coming fairly into view, while the intersection 

 of its outline with that of the ball renders the combined form 

 more elegant than it would be with a wider opening. Jupiter 

 rises later, about 9^h. in the middle of the month, and has, 

 unfortunately, a considerable S. declination among the stars of 

 Libra. Those who are interested in the study of his features, 

 or the transits of his satellites, will nevertheless, no doubt, 

 attempt to renew their observations. The transits before mid- 

 night will be the following : — -April 8th, I. will leave the disc 

 at llh. 44m. — 10th, the shadow of II. will enter at llh. 12m., 

 the satellite following at 12h. 41m. — 15th, I. will enter at llh. 

 18m., its shadow being already on the disc. 



Mercury will be at his greatest E. elongation at the end of 

 the month ; and though not in the most favourable part of his 

 orbit, the great eccentricity of which makes much difference, 

 yet, having considerable N. declination, there will be a chance 

 of his being fairly visible in the evening twilight. 



DOUBLE STAR. 

 Saturn will be lingering so near one of these objects during 

 1I1 is month, that it would seem strange not to include it in our 

 list. It will be found a little sf the planet, and is — 



12:3. £ Virginia, 7"*1. 345 8 '2. 4± and 9 (183M5). Pale 

 white and violet. An optical pair, rendered triple by the 

 addition of a third 10 mag. star, at 65" and 295\ It is a 

 pretty though minute object. I thought the closer attendant 

 greenish or bluish, with 3 finches, 1856'35 ; but a larger aper- 

 imv is necessary to cstimato the colour of such feeble points, 

 .Mid I have nul examined it with my present means. 



OCCULTATIONS. 

 April I Hh. X 1 Ononis, 6 mag., will be hidden from 6h. 28m. 

 to 7h. 38m. — 20th, Virginis, (5 mag., from 8h. 40m. to 9h- 

 18m. -22nd, B. A.C.4896, 6 mag., from 9h.23m. to lOh. 25m. 



