NIGHT SKY. DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

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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 (Proesepe)); 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 (a) being low down a little north of east.

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

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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