There is nothing of particular interest to be noted in this asterism. It does not appear on modern star charts and is considered obsolete.

So great is the distance that separates us from the stars that as for the great majority had they been blotted out of existence before the Christian era, we of to-day should still receive their light and seem to see them just as we do. When we scan the nocturnal skies we study ancient history. We do not see the stars as they are but as they were centuries on centuries ago.


METEORIC SHOWERS.

OCTOBER TO JANUARY.

Name of ShowerDateRadiant PointCharacteristicsOther Dates
of
Observation
Location
UrsidsOct. 4Between Great
Bear's head and
Polaris
Sw. Sk.Aug. 20-24N.
Epsilon Arietids
Rich shower
1877
Oct. 14East of Hamal,
near Musca
M. Sw.Oct. 11-24,
Oct. 30-
Nov. 4
E.
Orionids
Fine shower
Oct. 18Near Alhena in
Gemini
After 11 p.m.
Sw. Sk.
Oct. 16-22E.
Delta GeminidsOct. 29Near Castor and
Pollux
After 10 p.m.
v. Sw. Sk.
Nov. 7,
Dec. 4,
Oct. 16-22
N.E.
(e) Taurids. Rich
shower in 1886
Nov. 2About 13° S.E.
of Aldebaran
Sl. B.T.Nov. 2-3E.
Leonids
Brilliant shower
Nov. 13Near (γ) Leonis
In the Sickle
After midnight.
v. Sw.
Sk.
Nov. 12-14N.E.
Leo MinoridsNov. 16Near (μ) Ursæ
Maj., the Great
Bear's hind feet
After 10 p.m.
v. Sw. Sk.
Sept. 15,
Oct. 16
N.
Andromedids.
The Bielids.
Fine display
Nov. 27Near (γ)
Andromedæ
Sl. T.Nov. 17-23
Nov. 21-28
Overhead
TauridsNov. 30Between Capella
and (α) Persei
V. Sw.Aug. 16
Sept. 15,
Nov. 20
Overhead
Zeta Taurids.
Active shower
in 1876
Dec. 6Near the horns
of the Bull
Sl. B. E.
Geminids.
Fine shower
Dec. 10Near CastorSw.Dec. 1-14E.
Kappa DraconidsDec. 22Near Thuban
(α) Draconis
Sw. Sk.Nov. 14-23
Dec. 18-29
Fire Ball Dates Nov. 29
Dec. 2, 19, 21