U.S. Visitor For Eclipse Study

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 3

U.S. Visitor For Eclipse Study

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 28.

All American astronomer who studies the twinkle in stars has arrived in Auckland to take part in observations of the total solar eclipse from Manuae, in the Cook Islands, on

May 30. He is Dr. W. M. Protheroe, professor of astronomy and vice-dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, who will lead the party from the Mount John observatory in South Canterbury.

“Most of my work has been in stellar scintillation—the twinkle of the stars,” he said today. “But 1 am glad of the chance to take part in the eclipse expedition." Astronomers from Mount John, which is run jointly by the University of Pennsylvania and Canterbury, will use three techniques to study the chromosphere, or lower atmosphere, of the sun. “By using three different techniques, all essentially looking at the same thing, we should get something even if one experiment runs into trouble,” Dr. Protheroe said. “Of course, if it rains, all we will get is wet.” Dr. Protheroe met Mr F. M. Bateson, astronomer in charge of Mount John and field officer for ail the expeditions on Manuae. They will sail on Friday, with other members of the Mount John party and representatives of the Carter Observatory, in the naval Antarctic support ship Endeavour.