Fig. 27.—Star Map Showing Six Chief Constellations.
Six stars of the first magnitude, that is 6 of the 20 stars which shine the brightest (see Appendices F and G), are also shown on the chart, [Fig. 27]. By following the equator from west to east across the bowl of the sky, and which runs right through the middle of Orion, you will find to the west and south of it the brightest star in the heavens—Sirius, the Dog Star, so named because it is in the constellation of Canis Major, which is Latin for Big Dog.
Of the other stars on the chart, Capella in Auriga is the next brightest star, and Arcturus (pronounced Arc-tu´-rus) which can be found by following the handle of the Big Dipper, is third in brilliancy. The fourth place is held by Rigel (pronounced Rai´-gel) in Orion; Betelgeux (pronounced Bet-el-gerz´) in Taurus is fifth in order, and Aldebaran in Orion comes last.
There are many other constellations and a large number of other stars but when you are able to name and point out those described in this chapter you will have made a very good running start.
CHAPTER III
THE SUN, THE BRIGHTEST OF ALL STARS
In naming over the stars of the first magnitude—that is, the stars that shine the brightest—there is one star I did not mention and yet as we see it it is brighter than all the other stars put together.
This great star is our Sun and since we owe everything we possess on Earth to him—light, heat, power and even life itself—he should and does stand in a class by himself, though after all he is just as much of a fixed star as the North Star, the Dog Star, or any of the thousands of other stars which we see as mere points of light in the sky.
How to See the Sun.—You must never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, for he is so powerful that his light will injure your sight for all time.
Fig. 28.—Smoking Glasses
over Candle Flame.