Orion. About 15° south by west of Bellatrix is Rigel, a star of the first magnitude in the left foot, and 84° to the east is Saiph, a star of the third magnitude in the right knee of Orion. These four stars in the form of a parallelogram, with the three bright equidistant stars called the Belt, form the outlines of this constellation. There is a small triangle of three small stars in the head of Orion which forms a larger triangle with Bellatrix and Betelguese, the two in his shoulders. (See fig. of Orion, p. 30, and Plate I.) North-east of Betelguese, at the distance of 14°, is the star Alhena, or y Geminorum, the principal star in the feet of the Twins; and about 20° N.E., nearly in the same right line from Betelguese, are Custor and Pollux, Castor being the uppermost and the bright est, at the distance of only 44° from Pollux. These and the other stars which lie adjacent to them form the constellation Gemini, one of the signs of the Zodiac. The small stars immediately to the east of Gemini are in the constellation Cancer, another zodiacal constellation through which the sun passes in July and August. In this constellation is a nebulous cluster of very small stars, called Præsepi, which may be distinguished as a faint cloudy speck by the naked eye. (See page 78.) of the first magnitude, in the constellation Leo, which is the fifth sign, and the sixth constellation of the zodiac. Turning our faces towards the north-east, Ursa Major, or the Great Bear, is the most striking constellation that meets the eye. The two pointers, Dubhe and Merak, appear uppermost, and point westward to the Pole-star; while the stars forming the tail seem to hang downwards from the square of this constellation. As the night advances, this group of stars rises higher in the heavens, till, about three in the morning, they approach near the zenith. Ursa Minor, or the Lesser Bear, is seen below the pole, the square of which being a little to the eastward of the meridian. Directly below the Great Bear, at a very small elevation above the horizon, and in a direction N.E. by N., is Cor Curoli, a star of the second magnitude, in Chara, one of the Grayhounds. North by East of Aldebaran, at the distance of 30°, is the bright star Capella in Auriga. Directing our view a little to the west of the meridian, we perceive the constellation Aries, which is immediately to the westward of the Pleiades, and nearly at the same altitude. Above 2000 years ago, in the days of Hipparchus, this constellation occupied the first sign in the zodiac, into which the sun Immediately below Orion are the constella- entered about the 21st of March; but, as in tions of Lepus, or the Hare, and Noah's consequence of the precession of the equinoxes Dove, which are very near the horizon. South the constellations gain about 50" on the by east of Orion is Canis Major, or the equinox every year, they have now advanced Greater Dog, which is distinguished by its in the ecliptic nearly 31 degrees beyond it, or principal star Sirius, the brightest fixed star somewhat more than a whole sign; so that in the heavens. It is nearly straight south the constellation Pisces now occupies the of Alhena, in the feet of the Twins, at same place in the zodiac that Aries did 2000 35° distant, and south by east of Betel- years ago, while the constellation Aries is guese at the distance of 27. A line drawn now in the sign Taurus, Taurus in Gemini, through the three stars in the belt of Orion, &c., so that Aries, though the first sign, is and prolonged, meets Sirius at the distance the second constellation of the Zodiac. It is of 23°. About 54° west of Sirius is Mirzam, situated next east of Pisces, and midway beof the second magnitude, in the foot of the tween the Triangles and Musca on the north, Dog. Nearly due cast from Orion, but less and Cetus, or the Whale, on the south. It elevated above the horizon, is Canis Minor, is distinguished by two bright stars in the or the Lessor Dog. The centre of this small head, distant from each other about 4°, the constellation is situated about 5° north of brightest being a little to the cast or norththe equinoctial, and midway between Gemini east of the other, being about 25° west of the and Canis Major. It is distinguished by the Pleiades, and 19° south of Almauck, in the bright star named Procyon, which signifies foot of Andromeda. North by east from "before the Dog." About 4° to the north- Aries is Musca, or the Fly, which consists of west is Gomelzu, a star of the third magni- four or five stars, chiefly of the third and tude. Procyon, at the time supposed, appears fourth magnitudes, very near to each other. nearly due east from Betelguese, at the dis- It is situated between the first star of Aries tance of about 26. The head of Hydra lies and the Pleiades, but a little higher than immediately to the east of Procyon; but either. North by east from the Fly, at the Alphard, or Cor Hydra, the principal star of this constellation, is not risen at the time supposed. A little to the north of the eastern point of the compass, and at a very small levation above the horizon, is Regulus, a star distance of about 15°, and at 20° north by west of the Pleiades, and at a higher eleva tion, is the head of Medusa, the principal star of which is Algol, which regularly varies in its lustre. (See p. 50.) West by north iron. Medusa is Andromeda, one of the principal magnitude, which is at this time in a direcstars of which is Almaack, at the distance of tion nearly north-west, and 25° above the 12° west by north of Algol. West of Al- horizon. West from Deneb, at the distance maack, at the distance of 120, is Mirach, both of them stars of the second magnitude. If the line connecting Almaack and Mirach be prolonged 8 further west or south-west, it will reach Delta, a star of the third magnitude in the left breast. West from Andromeda, and a little to the south, is Pegasus, or the Flying Horse, which of 10 or 11°, is Deita; and the line prolonged about 15° further leads to the bright star Vega, the principal star in Lyra, which is then about 6 above the horizon in a direc tion north-west by north. North by east of Lyra is the head of Draco, distinguished by four stars separate from each other by intervals of 3°, 4o, and 5°. The one to the south, Draconis, by four bright stars of the second magnitude, which Dr. Bradley fixed upon in forming a square, which is generally termed to determine the annual parallax. At this the Square of Pegasus. The northermost time it is 16° above the horizon, in a direction star, which is the brightest of three that form N. N. W. About 4° to the north of it is a kind of triangle, is Scheat, whose N. decli- Rastaben, both of them stars of the second nation is 26. Markab is situated 13° magnitude. Turning our eyes again towards south of Scheat, and at the time supposed is the southern part of the meridian, we behold nearly due west, and about 22° above the the head of Cetus or the Whale, about 20° western point of the horizon. These two S.E. of Aries, and about 24° S. by W. of the stars form the western side of the square. Pleiades. It is distinguished by five stars, East from Markab, at the distance of 1640, is 4° or 5° asunder, which form a figure resemAlgenib, and 14° north of Algenib is Alphe- bling a regular pentagon. The brightest of ratz; which two stars form the eastern side these stars, which is the eastermost, and of of the square. Scheat and Alpheratz form the second magnitude, is Menkar, which the northern, and Markab and Algenib the makes an equilateral triangle with Arictis and southern sides of the square. Alpheratz the Pleiades, being distant from each about constitutes a part of the head of Andromeda, but it is also considered as connected with Pegasus. About 26° north of Andromeda is Cassiopeia, midway between it and the Polestar. It passes the meridian nearly in the zenith about the 22d of November. At this time it is between 20° and 30° west of the meridian. (See pp. 18 and 45.) The star Caph, in this constellation, along with Alpheratz and Algenib, are situated on the prime meridian which passes through the first point of Aries, from which the right ascensions of all the heavenly bodies are measured. The line connecting these stars forms an arc of the equinoctial colure, which passes through the vernal equinox, and across which the sun passes on the 21st of March. When we say that the sun, or a star, or a planet is in so many degrees of right ascension, we mean that it is situated, or has moved eastward so many degrees from this great circle. North-west of Cassiopeia is Cepheus, at the distance of about 25°, the head of which is in the Milky Way, and may be known by three stars of the fourth magnitude in the crown, forming a small acute triangle about 9° from Alderamin, a star of the third magnitude in the left shoulder. is distinguished from the other constellations or nearest Lyra, is Etanim, of his attempt Next to Cepheus, on the west, is Cygnus, or the Swan; the principal stars of which are distinguished as forming the figure of a large cross, the upright piece of which lies along the Milky Way. The most brilliant star in this constellation is Deneb Cygni, of the first 231°. About 14° south-west of Menkar is Mira, or the Wonderful Star, which is found to vary its apparent size from a star of the second or third, to one of the sixth or seventh magnitude. (See p. 50.) North-west of the head of Cetus, and west of Aries, is the constellation Pisces, or the Fishes, one of the signs of the Zodiac, in which there are no remarkable stars, most of them being of the third, fourth, and inferior magnitudes. Such is the general outline of the heavens as they appear about the beginning of January, General Appearance of the Heavens on the 1st of March, at nine o'clock, P. м. At this period of the year, at 9 P. M., several of the constellations which were seen in the beginning of January, have disappeared, such as Pegasus, Pisces, and others. Others, which are still visible, appear in other quarters of the heavens; and some stars and constellations which were then below the horizon have risen to a considerable elevation above it. Orion is now in the south-west quarter of the heavens; the Pleiades, instead of being on the meridian, are due west, at an elevation of 34° above the western point of the horizon; the bright star Sirius is to the west of the meridian, in a direction S. S. W.; Canis Minor and Procyon are a few degrees to the west of the meridian; Castor and Pollux, directly north of Procyon, have likewise passed the meridian.; Capella is seen at a high elevation, 30° west of the zenith; Menkar, in the head of the Whale, is within a few degrees of the western horizon; Aries is likewise near the western horizon; and Cassiopeia is in a north-westerly direction, and at a lower altitude than in January; Deneb, in the Swan, is very near the horizon, a little to the west of the north point; Vega, in the Lyre, is just rising at a short distance to the east of it; the head of Draco is in a N. N. E. direction, about 18° above the horizon; the Great Bear is at a higher elevation than in January, and the Pointers in a direction N. N. E.; and Cor Caroli appears in a direction east by north, about midway between the zenith and the horizon. The following constellations, among others, now appear which were under the horizon in January:-Hydra, the largest star in which is Alphard, or Cor Hydræ. It is at this time in a direction S. S. E., about 28° above the horizon. It may be distinguished from this circumstance, that there is no other considerable star near it. It is 23° S. S. W. of Regulus. The constellation Leo, which was only partly visible in January, now appears in its splendour towards the eastern part of the sky. Regulus, one of its largest stars, situated within half a degree of the ecliptic, is distinguished as being the largest and lowest of a group of five or six stars which form a figure or curve somewhat resembling a sickle. East of Regulus, at the distance of 25°, is Denebola, in the Lion's tail, which appears nearly in an eastern direction 35° above the horizon. East from Leo is the constellation Virgo; but all the stars connected with it have not at this time risen above the horizon. It is situated midway between Coma Berenices, on the north, and Corvus on the south. Coma Berenices, which consists of a cluster of small stars, is in a direction nearly due east, and about midway between the zenith and the horizon. East by north of this cluster at a low elevation, is Bootes, the principal star of which is Arcturus, of the first magnitude. It is at this time in a direction east by north, 14 degrees above the horizon. Further to the north, and at a lower elevation, is Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, the puncipal star in which is called Alphacca, of the third magnitude, and 11° east by north of Mirac, or Bootes. This constellation is distinguished by six principal stars, which are so placed as to form a circular figure, somewhat resembling a wreath or crown. only the bright star Betelguese can be faintly seen, as it is about to descend below the western point of the horizon. Aries has completely disappeared: Caput Medusa, Taurus, the Pleiades, and Aldebaran, are just verging on the borders of the north-western horizon, and are scarcely visible; and the brilliant star Sirius has completely disappeared from the nocturnal sky. The Head of Hydra, with Alphard, its principal star, are in a southwesterly direction; Canis Minor and l'rocyon are in a direction W. S. W., considerably to the west of Alphard, but nearly at the same altitude. North of Procyon, at a considerable distance, are Castor and Pollux, about midway between the zenith and the western point of the horizon. At a considerable distance to the north-west of these is Capella, considerably nearer the north-western horizon than the zenith. Cassiopeia appears very low in altitude, near the northern quarter of the heavens, and the Great Bear appears near its most elevated position, not far from the zenith, the two Pointers pointing nearly directly downwards to the Pole-star, while at the same hour in November, they point almost directly upwards. Regulus is about 22° west of the meridian, at a considerable elevation; Denebola, in the same constellation (the Lion,) is just on the meridian, at a little higher altitude than Regulus. Arcturus is seen in a direction E. S. E., at a very considerable clevation, and 26° north-west of it is Cor Caroli, not very far from the zenith. The stars in the Northern Crown appear due east, midway between the zenith and the horizon. The brilliant star a Lyræ appears near the northeast, about 2330 above the horizon. The Swan is near the N. N. E. quarter of the sky, and one of its principal stars, Deneb, is about 14° above the horizon. The principal stars in Draco appear elevated 20° above Lyræ, and nearly in the same direction. α The principal constellations which were formerly invisible are the south-eastern por tion of Virgo, Libra, Taurus Puniatowski, Serpentarius, and Hercules. These con stellations appear near the eastern and southeastern portions of the sky. The bright star of the first magnitude, Spica Virginis, which was below the horizon in March, is now elevated 24°, and may be seen in a direction. S. S. E. It is 35° south-east of Denebola, and about the same distance S. S. W. of Arcturus; three stars of the first magnitude, General Appearance of the Heavens on the which form a large equilateral triangle, point 1st of May, at 9 P. M. At this period several of the more splendid constellations which adorn our nocturnal sky during winter have disappeared. Orion is nearly hid beneath the western horizon, and ing to the south. A similar triangle, pointing to the north, is formed by Arcturus, Denebola, and Cor Caroli. The principal star in Hercules is Ras Algethi; and Ras Alhogue, 5° from it, in the head of Ophiuchus, may he seen nearly due east, at a small elevation above the horizon, Ras Algethi being the brightest and the highest. Libra is situated to the south of the Serpent, and to the east of Virgo. Its two brightest stars are of the second magnitude; the one is named Zubenschamali, 21° cast of Spica Virginis, but at a much lower altitude; the other is called Zubenelgemabi, about 940 above the other towards the north-east. At this time they appear in the south-east quarter of the heavens, at no great elevation above the horizon. The constellation Serpens lies between Corona Borealis and Libra. Its principal star is of the second magnitude, and named Unuk; it may be known by being nearly in the middle between two smaller stars, the lower one being 240, and the upper 51° from it. It is in a direction E. S. E., at about 24° above the horizon. Aspect of the Heavens on the 1st of July, at 10 P.M. As the twilight at this season is too strong to admit of particular observations at 9 P. M., I have fixed the hour of ten as the most proper time for perceiving the principal stars. Most of the southern constellations which were visible in January, and which are the most brilliant, have now disappeared; and those in the north are in positions in the heavens very different from those on which they appeared in winter. The Northern Crown, the Serpent, and Libra, are now to the west of the meridian; Arcturus is considerably to the west of the meridian, but at a high elevation; immediately below which, at a considerable distance, is Spica Virginis, very near the S. W. by W. point of the horizon. Cor Caroli appears north by west of Arcturus, at a considerable distance, and at a high altitude; immediately below which, at a considerable distance, and nearly due west, is Denebola. The Great Bear is now considerably west of the meridian, at a high altitude, the two pointers pointing eastward to the Pole-star. Castor and Pollux have just descended below the horizon near the north-west; and Capella, which never sets in this latitude, is very near the north point, only a few degrees above the horizon. Cassiopeia is near the north-eastern quarter, at no great elevation, and a Lyre is at a very high altitude to the east of the meridian; east of which, at a lower altitude, is Deneb, one of the principal stars in the Swan. The four stars forming the square of Pegasus are now seen a little to the north of the E. point, in a position nearly opposite to that in which they appeared in January. The star Antares, in Scorpio, of the first magnitude, is past the meridian, at an altitude of only about 11°. Ras Algethi and Alhague are nearly on the meridian. The constellation of Aquila, or the Eagle, which was formerly invisible, now makes its appearance in the south-east. Altair, its principal star, of between the first and second magnitude, is distinguished by being nearly in the middle between two stars of the third magnitude, cach of them 2° distant from it in a line bearing S.E. and N.W. Altair is at 'this time about 37° above the south-eastern horizon. North-east of Aquila is the Dolphin, at the distance of 13° or 14°. It is a beautiful little cluster of stars, consisting of about 18 in number, including five of the third nagnitude, but none larger, which are so arranged as to form the figure of a diamond, pointing N.E. and S.W. It is sometimes known by the name of Job's Coffin. North and north. west of the Dolphin are Sagitta, and Vulpe cula et Anser, or the Fox and Goose; south of Aquila is Capricornus, and south-east of it, Aquarius; but these last are more distinctly seen in the month of September. The Milky Way runs along with considerable brightness in the neighbourhood of Aquila, Vulpecula, Delphinus, and Cygnus. Appearances of the Sidereal Heavens on the 1st of September, at 9 p.м. At this time Altair is nearly on the meridian at an altitude of 4630, and Vega, or u Lyre, is about 16° west of the meridian, in a direction north by west from Altair. Ras Algethi and Ras Alhague are west from Altair, nearly midway between that star and the south-western point of the horizon. To the north-west of Vega is the head of Draco, at the distance of nearly 20°. Arcturus is in a position west by north, within 19° of the borizon. The Northern Crown is in a higher elevation than Arcturus, nearly due west, rather nearer the horizon than the zenith. Cor Caroli appears nearly N.W. by W. at 23° of altitude; and the Great Bear in a north-westerly direction, and at a lower altitude than formerly. To the east of the meridian, Capella is seen in a direction nearly N.N.E., at an altitude of 15°. East of Capella, at a little lower elevation, is Menkalina, or ß' Auriga, a star of the second magnitude. Cassiopeia appears in the north-east, about midway be tween the zenith and the north-eastern horizon. The Square of Pegasus is in a direction east by south, and is in a much higher eleva tion than in July. The Dolphin is a few de grees east of the meridian, and N.E. of Altair, at an altitude of above 50°. Along the southern quarter of the heavens are the following constellations:-Aries, in a direction east by north; Pisces, due east, and next to Aries on the west; Aquarius, to the west of Pisces, in a direction S.S.E.; Capricornus, west from Aquarius, nearly in the south; Sagittarius and Sobieski's Shield, in a south-westerly direction, and Scorpio, which lies still further to the west. Most of these constellations, except Aries and Pisces, are at a low altitude. Appearance of the Heavens on the 1st of November, at 9 P.M. perceived. Caph is at the highest altitud which the bearings are given is on or near the meridian.-(See note, p. 88.) As a further assistance to the astronomical tyro in distinguishing the stars, I have drawn up the following list of stars, chiefly of the first and second magnitudes, stating the periods of the year when they come to the meridian, or due south, at nine o'clock in the evening. About this time the winter constellations begin again to make their appearance in our hemisphere. The centre of the Square of The above brief sketches may enable the Pegasus is at this season and hour nearly on young observer to trace the principal stars and the meridian; the stars Scheat and Markab, constellations by a few observations at differof which Scheat is the uppermost, appear on ent seasons of the year. The altitudes here the west of the meridian, and Alpheratz expressed are stated in reference to places and Algenib on the east. Turning our eyes about 52° north latitude; but by making certo the western part of the heavens, we see the tain allowances corresponding to the latitude Southern Fish, a little to the west of the of the observer, the relative positions of the south, and its principal star, Fomalhaut, seve- stars will appear nearly the same as here reral degrees to the west of the meridian, at a presented, particularly if the difference of very low altitude. To the west is Capricor- latitude does not much exceed 10 degrees. nus, and to the north-west, Aquarius. Aquila, It should be carefully remarked that the bearwith its principal star Altair, is in a direction ings of one star from another, as here given, west by south, at about 23° above the horizon. are strictly true only when the star from Deneb Cygni is at a very high elevation, about 30° west from the zenith, and a Lyra 26° north-west of it, in a direction W.N.W., at a much lower elevation. North by west of Lyra are the two stars in the head of Draco, Etanin and Rastaben, about 4° apart. Ras Algethi and Ras Alhague are nearly due west, at a very small elevation above the horizon. The centre of the Great Bear is nearly due north, and at its lowest elevation, the stars in the tail being to the west, and the two pointers a little to the east of the northern part of the meridian, pointing upwards. Turning our view to the eastern quarter of the sky, we behold Aries in a south-easterly direction, next to Pegasus, and at a pretty high elevation. South by east of the first star in Aries is Menkar in the head of the Whale, in a direction S.E. by E., about 26° above the horizon. North-west of the first star in Aries is Mirach, and north by east Almaack, at a higher elevation, both of them in Andromeda. Near the north quarter is Capella, about midway between the zenith and the horizon. The Pleiades are seen nearly due east, followed by the ruddy star Aldebaran, at a lower elevation. Below Aldebaran, and to the south east, the head and shoulders of Orion begin to make their appearance, Bellatrix being 4° or 5° above the horizon, and Betelguese a little lower. Cassiopeia is near the zenith, a little to the east of the meridian, and Castor and Pollux, in Gemini, are in a direction north-east, just a little above the horizon. At this time the equinoctial colure is only a few degrees to the east of the meridian, and the three stars Caph in Cassiopeia, and Alpheratz and Algenib in Pegasus, which lie in the line of its curve, may now be distinctly Caph in Cassiopeia, and Alpheratz and Algenib, in Pegasus, come to the meridian on the 10th of November, at nine o'clock in the evening. Caph is near the zenith, and the other two at a considerably lower elevation. At this time, Capella appears towards the north-east; the Pleiades, Aldebaran, and → Orion, in the east; Deneb in Cygnus, in the north-west; Lyra, west-north-west; and Altair, in Aquila, west by south. Arietis, or the first star of Aries, comes to the meridian on the 5th of December. The same stars noticed in the preceding instance are still visible, but those on the east of the meridian have risen to a higher altitude, and those on the west have descended to a lower elevation than on Nov. 10. Castor and Pollux are at this time seen towards the northeast, and Procyon, a very little above the eastern point of the horizon. Menkar, in the head of the Whale, arrives at the meridian on the 21st of December, and at the same time the variable star Algol, in Medusa's head, which is 37° due north of Menkar. Altair has now disappeared from the west, and Sirius is seen at a small elevation in the south-east. The Pleiades pass the meridian on the 1st of January, and Aldebaran on the 10th When Aldebaran is due south, Capella is north by east of it near the zenith; Cor Car |