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 Formalhaut rises at sunset about the 10th of October and reaches the meridian about 4 hours later. It first appears in the southeast and skims in a short arc closer to the horizon than any other first magnitude star.

Sirius rises in the southeast about 9 o'clock on the first of December, but anyone wishing to see this magnificent star during the summer months should look toward the east about 4 o'clock in the morning on the 16th of August. In 5 hours and 3 minutes this star reaches the meridian, one-third of the way up from the horizon. Sirius is the largest and loveliest star in the sky, possessing such a vivacious character combined with a sparkling, diamond-like beauty, that it is a delight to every eye that beholds it.



The constellation of Virgo, in which Spica is found, is easily recognized by its brilliant white star and its large V or corner of five stars which marks off the upper portion. The Arabian astronomers called the corner "The Kennel" or "The Retreat of the Howling Dog." Just beyond the Kennel gleams the star-dust on Berenice's Hair, and above this sprinkling of minute stars, howl the furious hounds of Boötes struggling madly to pounce upon the Bear.

A most remarkable nebulous region lies within the triangular corner of Virgo, although the nebulæ are very faint and only visible through a large telescope. Nebulæ as a class are found in abundance in the vicinity of the north pole of the galaxy, which