Half-Hours with the Stars / A Plain and Easy Guide to the Knowledge of the Constellations

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.

MAP IX. NIGHT SKY.—AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.

NIGHT SKY.—AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is low down, between northwest and north, the Pointers (α and β) directed slantingly upward toward the Pole. A line from the Pole Star (α of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) to the Guardians of the Pole (β and γ), is in the position of the minute hand of a clock 12 minutes before an hour. Between the Great Bear and the Little Bear run the stars of the Dragon (Draco), round the Little Bear toward the north, thence toward the northwest, where we see the head of the Dragon high up, its two bright eyes, β and γ, directed toward Hercules, which occupies the western mid-heaven. Above Hercules is Lyra, the Lyre, with the bright steel-blue star Vega high up toward the point overhead. Right overhead is the Swan (Cygnus).

Low down in the northwest we see in the chart one star of the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici). Nearer the west stands the Herdsman, rather slanting forward, however, with the Crown (Corona Borealis) on his left, almost due west. The long winding Serpent (Serpens) runs from near the Crown (where we see its head due west) to farther south than southwest, high up on the western side of the Serpent Holder (Serpentarius or Ophiuchus), now standing upright in the southwest. Low down creeps the Scorpion (Scorpio), its heart Antares, rival of Mars, in the southwest, the end of its tail between south and southwest. Above and south of the Scorpion's tail we see the Archer (Sagittarius).

Due south, and high up, is the Eagle (Aquila), its tail at ζ and ε, its head at θ, the bright steel-blue Altair marking its body. On the left, or east, of the Eagle lies the neat little Dolphin (Delphinus). Midway between the Dolphin and the horizon is the tip of the tail of the Sea Goat (Capricornus), whose head lies nearly due south.

On the southern horizon is the head of the Indian (Indus); on its left a part of the Crane (Grus), and low down in the southeast lies Fomalhaut, the chief brilliant of the Southern Fish (Piscis Australis). Above lies the Water Bearer (Aquarius), in the southwestern mid-heaven.

Due east, fairly high, is "the Square of Pegasus," the head of the Winged Horse, Pegasus lying close by the Water Pitcher of Aquarius (marked by the stars ζ, γ, and α).

The Fishes (Pisces) are low down in the east. A few stars of the Whale (Cetus) are seen on their right, very low down. On the left of Pisces we see the Ram (Aries), low down; above it the Triangle; and above that the Chained Lady (Andromeda).

Low down in the northeast is the Rescuing Knight (Perseus); above whom is Cassiopeia, and on her left, higher up, the inconspicuous constellation Cepheus.

Lastly, immediately below Cepheus, we find the Camelopard, below which, very low down, between north and northeast, is the Charioteer (Auriga), the brilliant Capella being just above the horizon.

NIGHT SKY.—SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

Low down, between north and northwest, we find the seven stars of the Dipper, the Pointers on the right nearly due north. They direct us to the Pole Star. The Guardians of the Pole (β and γ of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) lie in a direction from the Pole Star corresponding to that of the minute hand of a clock about 17 minutes before an hour. Between the Pointers and the Pole Star we find the tip of the Dragon's tail: then passing round the Little Bear with the Dragon's long train of third magnitude stars, we come, after a bend, to the Dragon's head, with the two bright eyes, α and β—(part of the Dragon's nose has been borrowed by Hercules). These two stars are almost exactly midway between the horizon and the point overhead, and nearly northwest. King Cepheus—not a very conspicuous constellation—lies between the point overhead and the Little Bear.

Low down in the northwest we find the head of the Herdsman (Boötes). The Crown (Corona Borealis), which no one can mistake, lies on his left; and close by is the setting head of the Serpent. Above these three groups we see Hercules—the Kneeler—his head at α, his upraised club by γ. Above the head of Hercules we find the Lyre, with the bright star Vega; and above that the Swan.

Passing southward, we see the Serpent-Holder (Serpentarius or Ophiuchus), beyond whom lies the Serpent's tail; a most inconvenient arrangement, as the Serpent is divided into two parts. Almost exactly southeast, and low down, are the stars of the Archer (Sagittarius); while above, in the mid-sky, we see the Eagle (Aquila), with the bright Altair. Note the neat little constellation the Dolphin (Delphinus), close by.

Due south is the Crane (Grus); above it the Southern Fish, with the bright star Fomalhaut. Above that the Sea Goat (Capricornus), and on the left of this the Water Bearer (Aquarius); one can recognize his water pitcher, marked by the stars β, γ, and α.

Toward the west, high up, is the Winged Horse (Pegasus); he is upside down just now. Below lies the Whale (Cetus), or rather the Sea Monster. I have my own notion about Cetus, regarding him as an icthyosaurus: but that is neither here nor there. The star ο of this constellation is called Mira; it is a wonderful variable star. The Fishes (Pisces) may be seen between the Whale and Pegasus. Few constellations have suffered more than Pisces by the breaking up of star groups. The Fishes themselves are now lost in Andromeda and Pegasus.

Note how on the left of Pisces the Ram (Aries) "bears aloft" Andromeda, the Chained Lady (whose head lies at α), as Milton set Aries doing long since. The Triangles serve only as a saddle. Between Andromeda and her father, Cepheus, we find her mother, Cassiopeia, or rather Cassiopeia's Chair. (Of course β, α, and γ mark the chair's back.) Perseus, the Rescuer, lies below; β is the famous variable Algol. Below him lies the Bull (Taurus), with the Pleiades and the bright Aldebaran. Low down to the left of the Bull, we find the Charioteer (Auriga), with the bright Capella. And lastly, anyone who likes may admire the Camelopard (Camelopardalis), between the Great Bear, Cepheus, and the Charioteer.

MAP X. NIGHT SKY.—SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.

MAP XI. NIGHT SKY.—OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.

NIGHT SKY.—OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

The Dipper lies low, the Pointers a little east of north. They direct to the Pole Star. The Guardians of the Pole (β and γ of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) lie in a direction from the pole star corresponding to that of the minute hand of a clock about 22 minutes before an hour. Between the Pointers and Pole Star lies the tip of the Dragon's Tail. Sweeping around the Little Bear (Ursa Minor) we find the stars of the Dragon (Draco) curving back by the star δ to the Dragon's Head, with the two bright eyes, γ and β. Above is the inconspicuous constellation Cepheus; and somewhat higher, the stars of Cassiopeia, α and β, marking the top rail of the Seated Lady's Chair.

Low down in the northwest Hercules is setting. Above is the Lyre, with the bright steel-blue Vega; and above that the stars of the Swan (Cygnus), which has sometimes been called the Northern Cross.

Nearly due west we find the Eagle (Aquila), ζ and ε marking its tail, θ the head. Above the Eagle is the pretty little constellation Delphinus, the Dolphin.

In the southwest, rather low, is the Sea Goat (Capricornus); above and to the south of him the Water Bearer (Aquarius), with his pitcher, marked by the stars, α, γ, and ζ. The head of the Winged Horse, Pegasus, now upside down (in fact, he is seldom otherwise), is just above this group. The "Square of Pegasus" will be noticed high up, due south. The star α of Andromeda, one of the corners of this square, used to be also called δ of Pegasus.

Much attention need not be directed to the Phœnix, low in the southern horizon. The River Eridanus is coming well into view; and the great Sea Monster (Cetus) now shows finely, his head at α and γ, his paddles at ζ and τ. The Fishes (Pisces) are above; the Ram (Aries) above them and eastward, lying toward the southeast; then the Triangle (Triangula, or the Triangles, according to modern maps), and the Chained Lady (Andromeda) too nearly overhead to be very pleasantly observed. The great nebula in which the new star recently appeared is near the point overhead.

The grand giant Orion is rising in the east; above him the Bull (Taurus) with the Pleiades. Low down in the northeast the Twins (Gemini) are rising; above is the Charioteer (Auriga), and above him the Rescuing Knight (Perseus), "of fair-haired Danae born." The Camelopard is hardly worth noticing, except as marking a barren region of the heavens.

NIGHT SKY.—NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is beginning to rise above the northeast (by north) horizon. The end of the Dipper's handle is hidden. A line from the Pole Star (toward which the Pointers direct the observer) to the Guardians of the pole (β and γ of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor), is now in the position of the minute hand of a clock 27 minutes before an hour. The stars of the Dragon wind round below the Little Bear toward the west, the head of the Dragon with the gleaming eyes ("oblique retorted that askant cast gleaming fire") being low down, a little north of northwest. Above is King Cepheus, and above him his queen, the Seated Lady (Cassiopeia); their daughter, the Chained Lady (Andromeda) being nearly overhead.

Low down in the northwest we see the Lyre (Lyra), with the bright Vega; and close by toward the west the Swan (Cygnus), or Northern Cross. The Eagle is setting in the west, and the Little Dolphin nears the western horizon.

Toward the southwest (by west) we see the Water Bearer (Aquarius), with his pitcher (β, γ, α), close by which is the head of the Winged Horse (Pegasus). In the south, low down, is the absurd Phœnix; above, the Sea Monster, or Whale (Cetus); above him, the Fishes (Pisces); above them, the Ram (Aries); while nearly overhead lies the Triangle, in reality the Triangles (Triangula).

The River (Eridanus) occupies the southeasterly sky. The Dove and Great Dog (Columba and Canis Major) are rising in the southeast. The glorious Orion has now come well into view, though not yet so upright as we could wish a knightly hunter to be. He treads on the Hare (Lepus), and faces the Bull (Taurus) above.

Due east we find the Crab (Cancer), and Little Dog (Canis Minor) low down; the Twins (Gemini) higher; above them the Charioteer (Auriga), with the bright Capella, and Perseus the Rescuer nearing the point overhead. In the mid-space between Perseus, Auriga, and the two Bears, we find the ridiculous constellation Camelopardus, or the Giraffe.

MAP XII. NIGHT SKY.—NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.