METEORIC SHOWERS.

JANUARY TO APRIL.

Name of ShowerDateRadiant PointCharacteristicsOther Dates of ObservationLocation

Quadrantids. Rich annual showerJan. 2(44) Boötis, between Boötes and Dragon's headM. Sw. B.Jan 3.E.

Zeta CancridsJan. 2-4(ζ) Cancri, near Bee Hive E.

Theta UrsidsJan. 5About 10° from β away from γ Ursæ Maj.Small Sh. Sw. F.Jan. 2-8N.

Alpha DraconidsFeb. 1Near Thuban α DraconisSl.Jan. 9 Dec. 8N.

Alpha AurigidsFeb. 7Near Capella α AurigæSl.Aug. 21 Sept. 12-22High in Southern Sky

Tau LeonidsFeb. 16τ Leonis, between Leo and CraterSl. Sk.Nov. 27 Dec. 12 Mar. 1-4E.

Alpha Canum Ven. Well defined 1877Feb. 20Near Cor Caroli and Coma BerenicesV. Sw. B. E.

α-β PerseidsMar. 1Between α and β PerseiV. Sl.July—Dec. Mar. 13-19N.W.

Beta Leonids or Beta VirginidsMar. 14Near Denebola β LeonisSl. B.Mar. 3, 4 Dec. 12S.E.

Kappa CepheidsMar. 18Near PolarisSl. B.Oct. 4-17 Mar. 13-19N.

Beta UrsidsMar. 24Near β Ursæ Maj.Sw.Apr. 10-16 Mar. 13-14 Dec. 2-9 PreciseN.

Zeta DraconidsMar. 28Near the Dragon's HeadSl.July 29 Aug. 24, etc.N.

The Abbreviations under Characteristics are as follows:

V.VerySh.Short

M.ModeratelyB.Bright

Sw.SwiftF.Faint

Sl.SlowSk.Streak leaving meteors

T.Train leaving meteors

If you know the constellations, and memorize the following rhyme you will have ever at hand for reference at night, a reliable time-piece, a compass, and a perpetual calendar.

The numbers above the star names indicate consecutively the months of the year in which these respective objects rise about the first instant in the eastern sky. In addition to first-magnitude stars the rhyme refers to the head of Capricornus, the Sea Goat, the Great Square of Pegasus, and Orion's Belt. All except Arcturus rise between 9 and 9.30 p.m. Arcturus rises at 10 p.m., February 1st.

1

FirstRegulusgleamsontheview,

234

Arcturus,Spica,Vega,blue,

56

Antares,andAltair,

789

TheGoat'shead,Square,andFomalhaut,

1011

Aldebaran,theBelt,a-glow,

12

ThenSiriusmostfair.

Eight months of the year are identified by the position of the Dipper at 9 p.m. In April and May it is north of the zenith. During July and August it is west of north. In October and November it lies close to the northern horizon and in January and February it is east of north with the pointers highest.