DISTURBANCE ON PLANET

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28249, 10 April 1957, Page 6

DISTURBANCE ON PLANET

Astronomers Watch

Jupiter

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 9.

Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand are keeping watch on an object of great astronomical importance on the planet Jupiter. The object is a “south tropical disturbance,” a black egg-shaped spot on Jupiter about twice the diameter of the earth, which is suspected to have caused radio interference last November.

Mr P. A. Read, speaking for the society, said the disturbance had lately assumed huge proportions. It was equal in size to the great red spot seen on Jupiter in the 1890’s.

If Jupiter, 88,000 miles in diameter, compared with the earth’s 8000 miles, were to be split up into climatic zones, an indication of the disturbance’s size could be gained. Its extent would almost cover what is known as the earth’s south temperate zone. This activity could become an object of the highest astronomical importance, since little was known of the planet. Jupiter is a large gaseous type of planetf not hard or mountainous. For many months from now, it will be, next to the moon, the brightest object in the sky and visible after sunset.

While the Carter Observatory in Wellington is busily occupied with the International Geophysical Year, the Royal Society’s members are maintaining a careful watch in case of future activity in the black spot. The “south tropical disturbance” was first seen in 1901. From then till the early 1920’5, it grew rapidly, but in the 1.930’s faded away. In 1952, it came up again plainly. Lately, it has blackened and grown considerably.

The disturbance came on the heels of the great red spot. The two features produced combined disturbances till the black spot predominated. Last November, radio interference was traced to Jupiter, and the south tropical disturbance, now known as such, became suspect.