ABNORMAL SOLAR ACTIVITY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3160, 11 August 1917, Page 8

ABNORMAL SOLAR ACTIVITY

MAGNETIC STORMS IN THE SOUTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. • Chcistchurch, August 10. The Magnetic Observatory reports that during the brilliant display of the Aurora Australis last night a very largo magnetic storm was observed. Tho storm assumed !an extraordinary oscillatory character, and continued violently for fivo hours. At 8 o'clock this morning another large storm icommonced. Both disturbances were undoubtedly associated with the present abnormal solar activity. Tho director is of opinion that the solar activity has no connection with the recent earthquakes. In regard to tho display of the Aurora 'Australis on Thursday evening, one authority ony the subject of this class of phenomena say's:—"The generally accept, ed theory' is that the Aurora is due to the ascent of positivo electricity from the inter-tropical water surfaces, which flows towards tho Poles, wafted thereto by the higher aerial currents. In the region of the Poles it descends towards tho earth, and comes in contact, in n highly raritied atmosphere, with the terrestrial negative electricity, which results in luminous dicharges of great; brilliancy. Intimate relations '.exist between sun-spots, magnetic! storms, and Auroras, tho appear--arice of a largo spot on tho solar diso being almost invariably accompanied by »'• magnetic storm in all parts of tho globe. During magnetic storms Auroral displays usually take place, but not all Auroras are coincident with maguetio disturbances."