THE COSMIC RAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 57, 8 March 1932, Page 8

THE COSMIC RAYS.

EXPEDITION TO STUDY.

VISIT TO MT. COOK IN APRn,

AMERICAN SCIENTIST'S PLAJTS.

New Zealand is to he the scene in tie near future of an important link in 4 world-wide attempt to study the cause and effects of the cosmic rays, described as "mysterious radiations emanating from the unexplored regions of outer space." Professor Arthur H Compton, of the University of Chicago, will arrive in Auckland on* April 18 with his wife and ] 4-year-old son, travelling direct to The Hermitage, Mount Cook, where he will conduct a series of experiments in connection with a mystery that science is only now beginning to realise.

There are several fields of opinion on the discovery of these rays, some authorities claiming that the first invinstigators who found themselves on the right track were two German scientists, while others give their support to the claims of Dr. Pu A. Milliknn, of California, who is said to have been the first to isolate the electron. The fact remains that science admits of the existence of the cosmic rays, but doe) net know much concerning them. Professor Compton and others are, there ; ' fore, planning five world expeditions to study the effects of these emanations at various altitudes and in differeut climates. The first expedition will make its preliminary readings at Mount Chi ca (Panama Canal Zone), Huan| Cayo (Peru), Mount Cook (New Zealand). Mount Kosciusko (Australia), Mauna Kea (Hawaii) and Mount McKinlev (Alaska). New Zealand was included because it is the nearest elevated land to the South Magnetic Pole, with the exception of the two volcanoes, Erebuj and Terror (13,100 ft and 10,000 ft respectively), in the Ross Sea. The partv will be at Mount Cook for seven days, working in collaboration with Professor P. W. Burbidge, of the Auckland University, and other New Zealand scientists.

The second expedition will work in the same manner through Peru, the Argentine and Chile. The third will gather data in Capetown and on several South African peaks. The fourth expedition, starting from Lahore (India), will go thence to Mount Tjerimai, in Java, to Singapore, the Malay Islands, Ceylon, and finally to Mount Nan«a Parbat (26,624 ft, third highest in the world), in the Himalayas. The fifth party will work at Denver and Mount Evans, Colorado, and will also co-operate with the first expedition in Alaska.

It has also been suggested that negotiations are in progress for parties °of scientists to accompany independent expeditions to both the *Xorth and South Poles next year, where, owing to th». comparative purity of the atmosphere, natural phenomena could be observed far more satisfactorilv.

Professor Compton has been -professor of physics at the University of Chicago since 1923. He was born in Ohio 40 years ago and was educated at Princeton University. He has, in his -short but illustrious career, received honours from universities all over America, from Britain, Belgium, Italy, and even India. In 192" he was awarded the Xobel Prize in Physics, -which carries with it a monetary consideration of over £8000. He is a noted authority on X-rays and the science of the atom, and belongs to many American and European scientific societies and academies. He is also well known as an enthusiast at tennis.