Libra (lī´-bra)—the Scales. (face Southwest.)
Location.—Libra is one of the signs of the zodiac, and lies between Virgo and Scorpius. Its two chief stars, α and β, may be recognized west of and above the head of the Scorpion.
The star ι Libræ is about 20° northwest of Antares in the Scorpion. Spica in Virgo, a star of the first magnitude, is a little over 20° northwest of α Libræ.
A quadrilateral is formed by the stars α, β, γ, &e
The star α Libræ looks elongated. An opera-glass shows that it has a fifth-magnitude companion.
β is a pale green star. Its color is very unusual.
Lyra, Corona, and Hercules are almost directly overhead in the early evening, during July and August, and can best be observed in a reclining position. Thus placed, with an opera-glass to assist the vision, you may study to the best advantage the wonderful sight spread out before you, and search depths only measured by the power of your glass.
When the sun enters the sign Libra the days and nights are equal all over the world and seem to observe a certain equilibrium like a balance, hence the name of the constellation.
LIBRA 
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aries (ā´-ri-ēz)—the Ram. (face Southeast.)
<p>Location.—The star α in Aries, known as Hamal, and sometimes as Arietis, a star of the second magnitude, is about 7° south of α Trianguli. A line drawn from the Pole Star to γ Andromedæ, and prolonged about 20°... auriga (â-ri´-ga)—the Charioteer. (face Northwest.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from δ to α Ursæ Majoris, and prolonged about 45°, ends near the bright Capella, in Auriga, a star of the first magnitude, and one of the most brilliant in the heavens. It is unmistakable, having n... boötes (bō-ō´tēz)—the Herdsman, Or Bear Driver. (face West.)
<p>Location.—Boötes lies just west of the Crown, and east of Cor Caroli. It may be easily distinguished by the position and splendor of its principal star, Arcturus, which shines with a golden yellow lustre. It is about 35° east of Dene... cancer (kan´-ser)—the Crab. (face West.)
<p>Location.—Cancer lies between Gemini and Leo. A line drawn from Nath in Auriga to Pollux in Gemini, and prolonged about 15°, ends in Præsepe, the Manger, the great star cluster in Cancer, which is also called "The Bee Hive.&quo... canes Venatici (kā´-nēz Ve-nat´-i-cī)—the Hunting Dogs. (face Northwest.)
<p>Location.—Cor Caroli, the bright star in this constellation, when on the meridian is about 17° south of ε Ursæ Majoris. A line drawn from η Ursæ Majoris, through Berenice's Hair, to Denebola, in Leo, passes through... canis Major (kā´-nis Mā-jor)—the Greater Dog. (face South.)
<p>Location.—The three stars in Orion's girdle point southeast to Sirius, the dog star, in Canis Major, the most brilliant star in the heavens. It was connected in the minds of the Egyptians with the rising of the Nile, and is receding from the ... canis Minor (kā´-nis Mī´-nor)—the Lesser Dog. (face West.)
<p>Location.—Procyon, the Little Dog Star, lies about 23° south of Pollux, in Gemini. A line drawn from Nath, in Auriga, to Alhena, in Gemini, and prolonged about 18°, reaches Procyon.</p> <p>Procyon is equidistant from Betelgeuze in Ori... capricornus (kap-ri-kôr´-nus)—the Sea Goat. (face Southwest.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from α Pegasi through ζ and θ in the same constellation, and projected about 25°, strikes α and β in Capricornus.</p> <p>This constellation contains three principal stars—α an... cassiopeia (kas-i-ō-pē´-ya)—the Lady In The Chair. (face North.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from δ Ursæ Majoris, through Polaris, strikes α Cassiopeiæ. It is situated the same distance from Polaris as Ursa Major, and about midway between Polaris and the zenith in the Milky Way. Cassiope... cepheus (sē´-fūs) (face North.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from α to β Cassiopeiæ and prolonged about 18° strikes α Cephei. The nearest bright star west of Polaris is γ Cephei. Cepheus is an inconspicuous constellation, lying partly in the Milky ... cetus (sē´-tus)—the Whale. (face Southeast.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from Polaris, to δ Cassiopeiæ, and prolonged two and one third times its original length, reaches the centre of this constellation.</p> <p>It lies just below Aries and the Triangle, and resembles the figure ... columba Noachi (co-lum´-bä Nō-ä´-ki)—noah's Dove. (face South.)
<p>Location.—Columba is situated just south of Lepus. A line drawn from Rigel, in Orion, to β Leporis, and prolonged as far again, ends near α and β, the two brightest stars in Columba.</p> <p>A line drawn from the easternmost st... coma Berenices (kō´-ma Ber-e-ni´-sez)—berenice's Hair.
<p>Location.—A line drawn from Regulus to Zosma, in Leo, and prolonged an equal distance, strikes this fine cluster, which is 18° northeast of Zosma, δ Leonis.</p> <p>The group lies well within a triangle formed by Denebola, Arcturus, ... corona Borealis (kō-rō´nä Bō-rē-a´-lis)—the Northern Crown.
<p>Location.—A line drawn from α Cygni, to α Lyræ, and projected a little over 40°, terminates in the Crown, which lies between Hercules and Boötes, and just above the diamond-shaped group of stars in the head of the S... corvus (kôr´-vus)—the Crow. (face South.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from the Bee Hive, in Cancer, through Regulus, in Leo, and prolonged about 40°, ends near the conspicuous quadrilateral which distinguishes Corvus. The brightest star in this region of the sky is Spica, in Virgo. It... crater (krā´-ter)—the Cup. (face South.)
<p>Location.—Crater is situated 15° west of Corvus, and due south of θ Leonis. It is easily distinguished by reason of a beautiful and very striking semicircle of six stars of the fourth magnitude, forming the bowl of the cup.</p> <p>... cygnus (sig´-nus)—the Swan, Or The Northern Cross.
<p>Location.—Deneb, the brightest star in Cygnus, is at the top of the cross, and a little over 20° east of Vega. It forms a triangle with Vega and Altair in Aquila—Altair being at the apex, about 35° from Deneb and Vega.</p> <p>&... delphinus (del-fi´-nus)—the Dolphin, Or Job's Coffin. (face Southeast.)
<p>Location.—The little cluster of five stars forming Delphinus is to be seen about 10° northeast of Altair, and, though there are no bright stars in the group, it can hardly escape notice. A line drawn from Vega to Albireo, and prolonged ab... draco (drā´-ko)—the Dragon. (face North.)
<p>Location.—About 10° from α Ursæ Majoris—from α to δ is 10°—slightly south of, that is above, the line from α to Polaris, is Giansar, λ in the tip of the Dragon's tail. Above λ, an... eridanus (ē-rid´-a-nus)—or The River Po. (face Southwest.)
<p>Location.—Three degrees north and 2° west of Rigel, in Orion, lies β Eridani, the source of the River. Thence it flows west till it reaches π Ceti, then drops south 5°, thence east southeast, its total length being about 130&d... gemini (jem´-i-ni)—the Twins. (face West.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from β to κ Ursæ Majoris and prolonged an equal distance ends near Castor, in Gemini. Gemini is characterized by two nearly parallel rows of stars. The northern row if extended would reach Taurus, the s... hercules (her´-kū-lēz)—the Kneeler.
<p>Location.—A line drawn from either Vega, in Lyra, or Altair, in Aquila, to Gemma, in Corona Borealis, passes through this constellation. The left foot of Hercules rests on the head of Draco, on the north, and his head nearly touches the head ... hydra (hi´-dra)—the Sea-serpent. (face South And Southwest.)
<p>Location.—The head of Hydra, a striking and beautiful arrangement of stars, lies just below the Bee Hive, in Cancer, 6° south of Acubens in that constellation, and forms a rhomboidal figure of five stars.</p> <p>Hydra is about 100° in... leo (le´o)—the Lion. (face South.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from Pollux, in Gemini, to γ in Cancer, and prolonged about 12°, strikes Regulus, the brilliant star in the heart of the Lion. Regulus lies about 9° east of Acubens, in Cancer, and about 12° northeast ... lepus (lē´-pus)—the Hare. (face South.)
<p>Location.—Lepus crouches under Orion's feet. Four stars in the constellation form an irregular and conspicuous quadrilateral.</p> <p>γ is a beautiful double of a greenish hue.</p> <p>Four or five degrees south of Rigel are four faint st... libra (lī´-bra)—the Scales. (face Southwest.)
<p>Location.—Libra is one of the signs of the zodiac, and lies between Virgo and Scorpius. Its two chief stars, α and β, may be recognized west of and above the head of the Scorpion.</p> <p>The star ι Libræ is about 20°... lyra (lī´-ra)—the Lyre.
<p>Location.—Lyra may be easily distinguished because of the brilliant Vega, its brightest star, which is situated about 12° southwest of the Dragon's head. It is unmistakable, as it is the brightest star in this region of the heavens, and t... meteoric Showers.
<p>APRIL TO JULY.</p> <div> <table summary="" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"><em>Name of Shower</em></td> <td align="center"><em>Date</em></td> <td align="center"><... meteoric Showers.
<p>JULY TO OCTOBER.</p> <div> <table summary="" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"><em>Name of Shower</em></td> <td align="center"><em>Date</em></td> <td align="center"... meteoric Showers.
<p>OCTOBER TO JANUARY.</p> <div> <table summary="" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"><em>Name of Shower</em></td> <td align="center"><em>Date</em></td> <td align="cent... meteoric Showers.
<p>JANUARY TO APRIL.</p> <div> <table summary="" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"><em>Name of Shower</em></td> <td align="center"><em>Date</em></td> <td align="center">... meteors, Or Shooting-stars.
<p>As this work is designed primarily to cover what is observable in the starlit heavens with the naked eye, the subject of meteors, or shooting-stars, comes properly within its scope.</p> <p>There are few persons, if any, who have not witnessed the ... monoceros (mō-nos´-e-ros)—the Unicorn. (face South.)
<p>Location.—Monoceros is to be found east of Orion between Canis Major and Canis Minor. Three of its stars of the fourth magnitude form a straight line northeast and southwest, about 9° east of Betelgeuze, and about the same distance south ... musca (mus´-kä)—the Fly. (face Southeast.)
<p>Location.—Musca lies between Triangulum and Aries, the diagram clearly defining its position.</p> <p>The four stars composing it form a group shaped like the letter "Y."</p> <p>There is nothing of particular interest to be noted in ... ophiuchus (of-i-ū-kus)—the Serpent Bearer, And Serpens. (face Southwest.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from ε Delphini to γ Aquilæ, prolonged about 30°, strikes the star Ras Alhague, the brightest star in the constellation and the head of Ophiuchus. It is at one angle of an isosceles triangle, of ... orion (ŏ-rī´-on)—the Giant Hunter. (face South.)
<p>Location.—Orion is considered the finest constellation in the heavens. A line drawn from Nath to ζ Tauri (the tips of the Bull's horns), and extended 15°, strikes the brilliant Betelgeuze in Orion, known as the martial star. It forms... pegasus (peg´-a-sus)—the Winged Horse. (face South.)
<p>Location.—One corner of the Great Square is found by drawing a line from Polaris to Cassiopeia, and prolonging it an equal distance.</p> <p>The Great Square is a stellar landmark. Three of the corners of the square are marked by stars in Pega... perseus (per´-sūs)—the Champion. (face Northeast.)
<p>Location.—α Persei lies on a line drawn from β to γ Andromedæ, and is about 9° from the latter. The most striking feature in Perseus is the so-called "segment of Perseus," a curve of stars beginning about 1... pisces (pis´ēz)—the Fishes. (face Southeast.)
<p>Location.—This constellation is represented by two fishes each with a ribbon tied to its tail. One, the Northern Fish, lies just below β Andromedæ,—the other, represented by the circlet, is just below Pegasus. The ribbons, re... sagittarius (saj-i-tā-ri-us)—the Archer. (face South.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from Deneb, in Cygnus, to Altair, in Aquila, and prolonged an equal distance, terminates in Sagittarius about 10° east of its distinguishing characteristic, the Milk Dipper. Sagittarius is one of the signs of the zo... scorpius (skôr´-pi-us)—the Scorpion. (face South.)
<p>Location.—Scorpius, one of the signs of the zodiac, is a beautiful star group, and one that is easily traced out. It lies just under the Serpent Bearer, between Sagittarius and Libra.</p> <p>The resemblance to a Scorpion is not difficult to s... taurus (tâ´-rus)—the Bull. (face Southwest.)
<p>Location.—Taurus contains the well-known and unmistakable group the Pleiades, on the right shoulder of the Bull. A "V" shaped group known as the Hyades is just to the southeast of the Pleiades, in the face of the Bull, forming one o... the Constellations Of Autumn.
<div> <a href="/images/img65.jpg"><img src="/images/img65_th.jpg" alt="Map showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock, October first." title="Map showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock, October ... the Constellations Of Spring.
<div> <a href="/images/img3.jpg"><img src="/images/img3_th.jpg" alt="Map showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock April 1st." title="Map showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock April 1st." heig... the Constellations Of Summer.
<div> <a href="/images/img31.jpg"><img src="/images/img31_th.jpg" alt="Maps showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock, July first." title="Maps showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock, July firs... the Constellations Of Winter.
<div> <a href="/images/img95.jpg"><img src="/images/img95_th.jpg" alt="Map showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock, January first." title="Map showing the principal stars visible from Lat. 40° N. at 9 o'clock, January ... the Diagrams.
<p>The diagrams, it will be observed, are grouped under the seasons, and they indicate the positions of the constellations as they appear at 9 o'clock p.m. in mid-season.</p> <p>To facilitate finding and observing the constellations, the student shou... the Milky Way.
<p>The Milky Way, or Galaxy as it is sometimes called, is a great band of light that stretches across the heavens. Certain portions of it are worthy of being viewed with an opera-glass, which separates this seemingly confused and hazy stream into numb... the Planets.
<p>It is not within the scope of this work to dwell at length on a discussion of the planets. Certain explanatory matter regarding them is necessary, however, to prevent confusion; for the student must bear in mind the fact that from time to time the ... triangulum (trī-an´-gū-lum)—the Triangle. (face East.)
<p>Location.—A line drawn from the star γ Pegasi to Algol in Perseus passes through β Trianguli.</p> <p>The triangle is clearly defined and a beautiful figure. It lies just below Andromeda, and above Aries.</p> <p>Triangulum is a ver...