Half-Hours with the Stars

"Here I may sit and rightly spell

Of every star that Heav'n doth show."—MILTON.

The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the Firmament showeth His handiwork.—PSALMS xix: 1.

INTRODUCTION ON THE USE OF THE MAPS

It is very easy to gain a knowledge of the stars, if the learner sets to work in the proper manner. But he commonly meets with a difficulty at the outset of his task. He provides himself with a set of the ordinary star-maps, and then finds himself at a loss how to make use of them. Such maps tell him nothing of the position of the constellations on the sky. If he happen to recognize a constellation, then indeed his maps, if properly constructed, will tell him the names of the stars forming the constellation, and also he may be able to recognize a few of the neighboring constellations. But when he has done this he may meet with a new difficulty, even as respects this very constellation. For if he look for it again some months later, he will neither find it in its former place nor will it present the same aspect,—if indeed it happen to be above the horizon at all.

It is clear, then, that what the learner wants is a set of maps specially constructed to show him in what part of the sky the constellations are to be looked for. He ought on any night of the year to be able to turn at once to the proper map, and in that map he ought to see at once what to look for, toward what point of the compass each visible constellation lies, and how high it is above the horizon. And, if possible (as the present work shows is the case), one map ought to suffice to exhibit the aspect of the whole heavens, in order that the beginner may not be confused by turning from map to map, and trying to find out how each fits in with the others.

It is to fulfil these requirements that the present maps have been constructed. Each exhibits the aspect of the whole sky at a given day and hour. The circumference of the map represents the natural horizon, the middle of the map representing the part of the sky which lies immediately overhead. If the learner hold one of these maps over his head, so as to look vertically upwards at it, the different parts of the horizon marked in round the circumference being turned towards the proper compass points, he will see the same view of the heavens as he would if he were to lie on his back and look upwards at the sky, only that the map is a planisphere and the sky a hemisphere.

But although this illustration serves to indicate the nature of the maps, the actual mode of using them is more convenient.

Let it first be noted that properly speaking the maps have neither top, bottom, nor sides. Each map may be held with any part of the circumference downward: then the centre of the map is to be looked upon as the top for that part of the circumference. The portion of the map lying beneath the centre represents the portion of the sky lying between the point overhead and a certain part of the horizon—the part in fact corresponding to the particular part of the circumference which is turned downwards. Thus if on any night we wish to learn what are the stars towards the north, we look for the map corresponding to that night. At the hour named the stars toward the north will be those shown between the centre of the map and the top; and, of course, we hold the map upside down so as to bring the centre above the northern part of the circumference.

But this matter will be more clearly understood by comparing the account of any of the accompanying maps with the map itself.

Again, it must be noted that, although the maps are necessarily arranged in a certain order, there is in reality no first or last in the series. The map numbered I. follows the map numbered XII. in exactly the same manner that the latter follows the map numbered XI. The maps form a circular series, in fact.

The only reason for numbering the maps as at present, is that the map numbered I. Happens to exhibit the aspect of the sky at a convenient hour on the night of January 1st. It will be found that the dates follow on with intervals of seven or eight days right round the year, the end of the year falling in the left-hand column of the table under Map I., while the beginning of the year is in the right-hand column of the same map.1

It will be seen at once that a map can always be found corresponding to a convenient hour on any night of the year. (In midsummer, on a few of the dates mentioned under the maps, night has not begun at the hour named.) On any date named under a map, the aspect of the sky two hours later than that named is that represented in the following map. Thus at eight o'clock in the evening of January 22d, the aspect of the stars is as shown in Map I. At ten o'clock on the same night the aspect of the sky is that shown in Map II., as a date under that map shows. Applying this rule to the few occasions on which the hour named is not available for observation (five or six in all out of ninety-six dates), the observer can manage as well for those occasions as for any others.

Next, as to finding the north point, or any point of the compass which will enable the observer to determine the rest. If he is only familiar with the aspect of those seven bright stars of the Great Bear which have been called the Dipper, Charles' Wain, (really "The Churl's Wain,") the Butcher's Cleaver, and by other names, he can always determine the north point by means of the two stars called the Pointers, since these seven stars never set. In the explanation of each map I have shown where the Great Bear is to be looked for on each night, the observer being assumed to have such a general knowledge of the direction of the compass-points, as will suffice for the purpose of finding so marked a collection of stars. Thus the pole-star is found, and for the purpose of such observations as are here considered, this star may be looked upon as marking the exact direction of the north.

Perhaps nothing further is required; but if the observer prefer it he can determine the north point conveniently at noon by setting up a vertical stick in the sunlight and noting the direction in which the shadow lies. Once the observation has been made, he can note what objects (these should be distant) lie towards the different points of the compass, and from that time he can use the accompanying maps without any reference to the Great Bear and the Pointers.

It is worth noticing that the stars called the Guardians of the Pole form no bad time-piece when used with the aid of such maps as the present. They revolve round the pole once in twenty-four hours (less about four minutes), in a direction contrary to that of a clock's hands. But stars near the equator, whose motions are much more rapid, afford a yet better measure of time, if the direction of the south point is well determined.

Of course, the observer who really wishes to become an astronomer will not rest satisfied by learning only the principal stars shown in these maps. By means of the regular star-maps, such as those of my School Star Atlas, he will be able to explore the depths of all the constellations, having once learned their position and general appearance from the accompanying maps. It will be well for the student to remember that the planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will at times appear among the constellations here shown. Venus and Jupiter can always be recognized by their superior light, Mars and Saturn by the steadiness with which they shine. The almanac will always show when these planets and Mercury (often very bright in the clear skies of America) are above the horizon, and where they are situate. They never appear except among the zodiacal constellations.

For particulars and pictures of the different constellations, and other details associated with the study of the star-groupings, the reader is referred to my "Easy Star Lessons," published like the present maps by Messrs. Putnam's Sons. I have to thank the proprietors of the Scientific American for permission to publish these maps, which originally appeared (though in a slightly different form) in the pages of that excellent magazine. The Latin names of the constellations included in the maps of this series are as follows:

THE LITTLE BEAR, Ursa Minor (α, the Pole Star; β, γ, the Guardians).

THE DRAGON, Draco (α, Thuban).

KING CEPHEUS, Cepheus.

THE LADY IN THE CHAIR, Cassiopeia.

THE CHAMPION, Perseus (β, Algol, remarkable variable).

THE CHARIOTEER, Auriga (α, Capella).

THE GREATER BEAR, Ursa Major (α, β, the Pointers).

THE HUNTING DOGS, Canes venatici (α, Cor Caroli).

QUEEN BERENICE'S HAIR, Coma Berenices.

THE HERDSMAN, Boötes (α, Arcturus).

THE NORTHERN CROWN, Corona Borealis.

THE SERPENT, Serpens.

THE KNEELER, Hercules.

THE LYRE, Lyra (α, Vega).

THE SWAN, Cygnus (α, Arided; β, Albireo).

THE WINGED HORSE, Pegasus.

THE CHAINED LADY, Andromeda.

THE TRIANGLES, Triangula.

THE RAM, Aries.

THE BULL, Taurus (α, Aldebaran; η, Alcyone, the chief Pleiad).

THE TWINS, Gemini (α, Castor; β, Pollux).

THE CRAB, Cancer (the cluster between γ and δ is the Beehive).

THE LION, Leo(α, Regulus).

THE VIRGIN, Virgo (α, Spica).

THE SCALES, Libra.

THE SERPENT-HOLDER, Ophiuchus.

THE EAGLE, Aquila (α, Altair).

THE DOLPHIN, Delphinus.

THE WATER CARRIER, Aquarius.

THE FISHES, Pisces.

THE SEA MONSTER, Cetus (ο, Mira, remarkable variable)

THE RIVER, Eridanus.

THE GIANT HUNTER, Orion (α, Betelgeux; β, Rigel).

THE LESSER DOG, Canis Minor (α, Procyon).

THE SEA SERPENT, Hydra (α, Alphard).

THE CUP, Crater (α, Alkes).

THE CROW, Corvus.

THE SCORPION, Scorpio (α, Antares).

THE ARCHER, Sagittarius.

THE SEA-GOAT, Capricornus.

THE SOUTHERN FISH, Piscis Australis (α, Fomalhaut).

THE HARE, Lepus.

THE DOVE, Columba.

THE GREATER DOG, Canis Major, (α, Sirius).

THE SHIP, Argo.

THE CENTAUR, Centaurus.

The following table exhibits the names of all the stars of the first three magnitudes to which astronomers have given names; at least, all those whose names are in common use:

MAP I. NIGHT SKY.—DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

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.—DECEMBER AND JANUARY

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is now rising well above the horizon, in the northeast, the Pointers about midway between north and northeast. A line from the Pole Star to the Guardians of the Pole is now in the position of the minute hand of a clock about 28 minutes past an hour. The Dragon (Draco) lies due north, curving round under the Little Bear, its head close to the horizon. Low down in the northwest is a part of the Swan (Cygnus). Higher up we see King Cepheus, his wife Cassiopeia, and their daughter Andromeda (the Seated Lady and Chained Lady, respectively), with the Rescuer (Perseus) nearly overhead. The Winged Horse is setting, his head close by the western horizon, and near the jar of the Water Bearer (Aquarius).

In the southwest is the Whale; and close by, the constellation Pisces, or the Fishes; above them the Ram (Aries), between which and Andromeda the Triangles can be seen.

In the south the River (Eridanus) makes now its best show. Its leading brilliant, Achernar, is, however, never seen in the United States. In the southeast the Great Dog, with the splendid Sirius ("which brightliest shines when laved of ocean's wave"), shows resplendently. Above is Orion now standing upright, treading on the Hare (Lepus) and facing the Bull (Taurus), now at its highest. The Dove (Columba) below the Hare is a modern and not very interesting constellation.

The Little Dog (Canis Minor) is on the east of Orion. In the east the Sea Serpent (Hydra) is rising, and due east a little higher we find Cancer, the Crab, (note the pretty cluster called the Beehive (Prœsepe)); above are the twins (Gemini), and above them the Charioteer (Auriga), with the bright Capella, nearly overhead.

The Lion is rising in the northeast, his heart star Regulus (α) being low down a little north of east.

Lastly, due north, high up, the absurd Giraffe (Camelopardus) stands proudly on his ridiculous head.

NIGHT SKY.—JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) with its Dipper and Pointers, occupies the northeasterly mid-heaven. A line from the Pole Star (α of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) to the Guardians, β and γ, lies in the position of the minute hand of a clock 23 minutes after an hour. The Camelopard (Camelopardus) is above. The Dragon (Draco), whose head is below the horizon, curves round the Little Bear to between the Guardians and the Pointers. In the northwest, fairly high up, we find Cassiopeia, the Seated Lady, and on her right, lower down, the inconspicuous constellation Cephius. Andromeda, the Chained Lady, is on Cassiopeia's left. The Great Nebula will be noticed in the map—it is faintly visible to the naked eye. Above Andromeda is Perseus, the Rescuing Knight, and above him the Charioteer (Auriga), nearly overhead. On the left of Andromeda is Aries, the Ram, the small constellation the Triangles lying between them.

Toward the southwest, the Whale (Cetus) is beginning to set. The River (Eridanus) occupies the lower part of the southwesterly sky, and extends also to the mid-heavens in that direction. The Dove (Columba) is nearly due south, and at its best—which is not saying much. Above is the Hare (Lepus), on which Orion treads. The Giant now presents his noblest aspect—prince of all the constellations as he is. He faces the Bull (Taurus), known by the Pleiades and the bright Aldebaran.

Close by the poor Hare, on the left, leaps Canis Major, the Greater Dog, with the bright Sirius, which "bickers into green and emerald." The stern of the Star Ship (Argo) is nearing the south.

Very high in the southeast we find the Twins (Gemini), with the twin stars, Castor and Pollux (α and β); and below them the Little Dog (Canis Minor). The Sea Serpent (Hydra) is rearing its tall neck above the eastern horizon (by south), as if aiming either for the Little Dog or for the Crab (Cancer), now high up in the east, with its pretty Beehive cluster showing well in clear weather. The Lion (Leo) is due east, the Sickle (marked by the stars α, η, γ, μ, and ε) being easily recognized.

Queen Berenice's Hair (Coma Berenices, not Berenicis, as often ignorantly given) is in the northeast. It used to mark the tip of the real Lion's tail, just as the stars of the Crab marked his head. The Hunting Dogs occupy the space between Berenice's Hair and the Great Bear.

MAP II. NIGHT SKY.—JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

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 III. NIGHT SKY.—FEBRUARY AND MARCH.

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.—FEBRUARY AND MARCH

The Great Bear (Ursa Major), with its Dipper and Pointers, is now high up in the northeastern sky. The Pointers direct us to the Pole Star, (α of the Little Bear Ursa Minor). A line from the Pole Star to the Guardians of the Pole (β and γ) lies in the position of the minute hand of a clock 18 minutes after an hour. The Dragon (Draco) extends from between the Bears to the horizon—east of north—where its head with its two bright eyes can be seen.

Cepheus is low down, somewhat to the west of north; his Queen (Cassiopeia) the Seated Lady, beside him (α and β mark the top rail of her chair's back); while above her lies the poor constellation Camelopardus, the Giraffe.

Andromeda, the Chained Lady, is in the northwest, low down—in fact, partly set; the Triangles and the Ram (Aries) beside her, toward the west. Above them is Perseus, the Rescuing Knight; and above him, somewhat to the west, the Charioteer (Auriga). The Bull (Taurus), with the Pleiades and the bright Aldebaran, is in the mid-heaven, due west; Gemini, the Twins, higher, and toward the southwest. Orion, below them, is already slanting toward "his grave, low down in the west"; beneath him the Hare, and in the southwest a part of the River (Eridanus).

Due south is a part of the Star Ship (Argo), beside which, low down, is the foolish Dove (Columba), while above leaps the Great Dog (Canis Major), with the splendid Sirius, chief of all the stars in the sky, marking his mouth.

High up, a little west of north, is the Little Dog (Canis Minor); and higher, a little east of north, the Crab (Cancer), the "dark constellation," as it was called of old, with the pretty cluster Prœsepe, or the Beehive.

The Sea Serpent (Hydra) is rearing his long neck high above the horizon, bearing on his back, absurdly enough, Noah's Cup (Crater) and Noah's Raven or Crow (Corvus).

Nearly due east, the Virgin (Virgo) has risen, Spica shining brightly just above the horizon. The Lion (Leo) occupies the mid-space above; the "Sickle in the Lion"—its handle marked by η and α, its curved blade by γ, μ, and ε—will at once be recognized. The Hair of Queen Berenice (Coma Berenices) is nearly due east, and fairly high. Between this small but remarkable group and the Great Bear, lies Hevelius's foolish constellation, the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici). Lastly, in the northeast, the Herdsman (Boötes), with the orange-yellow brilliant, Arcturus, is rising, though at present, paradoxical as it may seem, he lies on his back.

NIGHT SKY.—MARCH AND APRIL

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is now nearing the point overhead, the Pointers (α and β) aiming almost directly downward toward the Pole Star. The line from this star (α of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) to the Guardians (β and γ) is now in the position of the minute hand of a clock about 13 minutes after an hour.

Cepheus lies north, low down, Cassiopeia on his left, the Camelopard above her, Andromeda just setting, almost due northwest, on the left. Perseus is due northwest, rather low, the Charioteer (Auriga) on his left, but higher. Setting between west and northwest we see the Bull (Taurus), with the Pleiades and the ruddy Aldebaran. Orion is almost prone in his descent toward his western grave. The Twins (Gemini) are due west, in the mid-heavens; the Little Dog (Canis Minor) beside them on their left, the Crab (Cancer) above, the Greater Dog (Canis Major) below, chasing the Hare (Lepus) below the horizon. Just behind the Dog the poop of the Great Ship (Argo) is also setting.

The Sea Serpent (Hydra) now shows his full length, rearing his head high in the south. Observe the darkness of the region around his heart, marked by the star α, Alfard, the Solitary One. The Cup (Crater) and Crow (Corvus) stand on his back.

The Sickle in the Lion (Leo) now stands with handle upright, due south. Below the tail stars of the Lion we see the Virgin (Virgo), with the bright Spica Azimech. The set of five third magnitude stars, above, was called by the Arabs, for reasons not explained, the "Retreat of the Howling She Dog."

Behind the Lion, due east and high up, we see Coma Berenices, the hair of Queen Berenice, between which and the tail of the Great Bear we see in the chart one star only of the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici).

The Herdsman (Boötes), still on his back, pursues in that striking and effective position the Great Bear. Below the shoulder stars of the Herdsman we see the Crown (Corona Borealis), near which, on the right, low down and due east, the head of the Serpent (Serpens) is rising. Hercules is also rising, but in the northeast.

Lastly, the stars of the Dragon (Draco) can be seen curving from between the Pointers and the Pole, round the Little Bear, then back toward Hercules, the head of the Dragon, with the bright eyes, β and γ, being rather low down, and somewhat north of northeast.

MAP IV. NIGHT SKY.—MARCH AND APRIL.

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 V. NIGHT SKY.—APRIL AND MAY.

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.—APRIL AND MAY

The Great Bear (Ursa Major) is now at its highest and nearly overhead, the pointers aiming downward from high up, slightly west of due north. A line from the Pole Star, (α of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) to the Guardians of the Pole, (β and γ) is now in the position of the minute hand of a clock 8 minutes after an hour.

Below the Little Bear we find Cepheus low down to the east of north, and Cassiopeia low down to the west of north. Perseus, the Rescuer, is setting in the northwest; the Camelopard is above, trying to get on his feet.

The Charioteer (Auriga), with the bright Capella, is nearing the northwestern horizon, followed by the Twins (Gemini), in the west. Further west and higher we find the Crab (Cancer), below which is the Little Dog (Canis Minor).