DONOVAN LECTURER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 22

DONOVAN LECTURER

Work For Astronomy '‘Mr. A. C. Clifford is the idol of New Zealand amateur astronomers,” states the first issue of “Southern Stars,” the journal of the New Zealand Astronomical Society, in a note on the Wellington resident who has been appointed by the Donovan Trust of New South Wales Donovan lecturer for 1934. , . • “For. a considerable number of years he has been writing papers and articles for scientific journals and newspapers at a breathless pace,” continues the paper. "His fluent language and ability to capture the imagination, has caused his works to be widely read and his lecture audiences to be large. In addition to his ability in writing and lecturing, Mr. Gifford has rendered a service to astronomy by keeping fully alive the interesting theory of the partial impact of stars put forward by the late Professor Bickerton. He has continually shown how this theory explains so many facts in the phenomena of novae, and as a possibility in explaining the origin of the solar system. It was his enthusiasm 1 , that was responsible for the erection of a fine observatory for the Wellington College. He has been on the Council of the New Zealand Astronomical Society for many years, and is also a past-president.” “Southern Stars” appears for the first time this month and will replace the monthly duplicated notes which the society has hitherto circulated among its members. An article on star, colours by Mr. A. G. C. Crust, and one on the reclasslt|cation of sunspot types by Mr. I. L. Thomsen ar e features of the publication, and there are reports of meetings of astronomical organisations in New Zealand, on the activities of the various sections of the society, a book review and a list of phenomena and objects of interest during November. Mr. I. L. Thomsen, of Wellington, is rhe editor. ■ • ■ . '