If we were at the north pole all stars within 90° of the north pole
of the heavens would be circumpolar and would describe daily circuits
of the pole parallel to the horizon remaining always above it.
If we were at the equator all stars within _zero_ degrees of either
pole would be circumpolar, that is _no_ stars would be circumpolar,
all stars rising and setting daily.
As a general rule, then, we may say that stars within an angular
distance of the nearest pole of the heavens equal to the latitude
never set and stars within an equal distance of the opposite pole
never rise while all stars outside of these limits rise and set daily.
The beginner who attempts to make the acquaintance of the principal
stars and constellations occasionally may find a bright star in a
constellation that is not noted in the diagrams. In this case he has
probably happened upon one of the bright planets.
It is not possible to include the planets in our diagrams for the
reason that they are not fixed in position but apparently wander
among the stars. The name planet is, in fact, derived from a Greek
word meaning "wanderer." The stars shine by their own light but the
planets shine only by reflected light from the sun. Of the seven
planets in the solar system additional to our own planet earth,
there are two, Uranus and Neptune that we need not consider for
Neptune is not visible without the aid of a telescope and Uranus is
fainter than any of the stars included in our diagrams.
Mercury will never appear except in the morning or evening twilight,
when none but the very brightest stars are visible, since it never
departs far from the sun. It will only be seen under certain
favorable conditions, and usually it will escape our notice
altogether unless we know exactly where to look for it although
there are but two or three stars in the heavens that surpass it in
brightness.
Venus, we will probably never mistake for any star in the heavens for
it far surpasses all stars in brightness. It will always be seen in
the west after sunset or in the east before sunrise and it is never
seen more than three hours before or after the sun.
This leaves us but three planets, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars that we
may mistake for bright stars. There is little chance that Jupiter
will be thus mistaken for it also is far brighter than all of the
stars except Sirius which differs greatly from Jupiter in color.
Sirius is a brilliant white and Jupiter is a golden yellow. The
planets do not twinkle as the stars do and this is particularly true
of Jupiter which is remarkable for the quiet steadiness of its yellow
light. This alone would serve to identify it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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