IN STARRY SKIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 50, 27 August 1932, Page 22

IN STARRY SKIES

LOCAL ENTHUSIASM

CITY OBSERVATORY IN CONSTANT USE

(By "Omega Centauri.")

I have before me as I write au unpretentious document consisting of a single typewritten sheet signed by the Dominion Astronomer as Honorary Director of the City Observatory. Short as it is, this paper gives astonishing proof of the keen scientific'enthusiasm of a small band of astronomical workers in AVellington. It contains a programmo of observations to bo made with the 9 : inck telescope of the City Observatory during the present month. The first thing that strikes one is that t1 o telescope is engaged for every single night. But that is not all. On no less than ten-occasions one observer is timed to start as soon as another

sen as director. In his report for the month of February last the director discusses 72 observations made by members during the month. The average number of spots visible was 15.5, a record having been attained for every day in the month. One particular group contained thirteen spots, and was estimated to be over 132,000 miles long and over 50,000 miles wide. Only a small portion of this solar work is done with the city telescope, as the principal observers have their own telescopes.

The night programme of the 9-inch is very varied. When comets appear they are carefully observed, other work standing aside for the time. The principal planets, especially Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, are kept under regular observation. "When the moon was partially eclipsed on. 23rd March ten photographs were taken and two oceultations timed by Mr. I. L. Thomson. Mr. M. S. Butterton is specialising on star colours, Mr. A. M. Jelley on site tests and observations of the planets, and Mr. V. H. Fama on star clusters. Mr. 11.I 1. M. Bateson is director of the most active section of the N.Z.A.S., viz., that on variable stars. A report

finishes his work, and on one evening there are three separate bookings. On public nights two work together, so there are altogether forty-eight entries on this list. But when the programme is carefully examined it is seen that the same names are repeated again and again. Thcro aro only half a dozen all told. It means, therefore, that these six young, men are prepared, after tho day's work, to devote to science on an average no less than eight evenings per month. The programmes for June and July give evidence of similar activity. But what are the objects of all this work? They embrace both research and education. One portion is referred to periodically in the Press, namely, that on every fine Saturday evening the observatory is open to tho public from 7.30 to 0.30 p.m. Unfortunately only one person can look through the telescope at a time, but the New Zea-land-.Astronomical Society has a magnificent collection of lantern slides, and these are available, and make it possible for those who are waiting for a turn at the telescope to enjoy instructive lectures. Among the subjects discussed in this way during the last three months are "Comets," "Meteors,' 3 "Dark Matter in Space," "The Southern Cross," "Man's Discoveries in Astronomy," "Variable Stars," "Motions of the Stars," "Double Stars," "The Moon," "Photographing the Stars," and "Saturn." There are also many interesting exhibits, including a large model of the solar system. Of even greater importance is the work that is,being done for the young. During these last tureo months, nineteen evenings have been set aside for observing parties from the schools. Such visits will give to many boys and girls an interest that will last as long as life. It will enlarge their whole outlook-and make them realise what a vast and marvellous universe we dwell in. A quotation from a letter received from a member of one such party will give a hint of the kind of work that is being done. "It was a beautiful evening. Arriving at the observatory at 6.30 we each had a good look at Jupiter through tho telescope, noting his belts and moons. Four of the latter were visible, there being three on the right and one on the left. The Jewel Casket occupied our attention next. The red and bluejirwhite stars certainly make it worthy of its name. Several of us were wishing to have a look at a spectrum, when Mr. Quinnell proposed that we should sco both Antares and her message. What a pity it is that we cannot appreciate the beautiful colouring in the stars with the naked eye. In Antares' messago there was red, yellow, and green, but we could not see the black lines. "Omega Centauri was too far overhead to be examined, through the telescope, so we saw instead Eta Argus. It seems wonderful that cosmic dust should hide the stars from us, although it forms stars. "■Mr. Fama then showed us a scale of the planets. It made us feel very small indeed when we realised that the earth is only about the size of a pin-priekin the universe. Poor Saturn must be pleased when her fifteen year winter is past. Uranus must feel quite independent, rotating in an opposite direction to the other planets, and haying moons that travel from north to south. Pluto is just about the size of our earth, yet finding it nearly doubled the size of our system, Mr. Fama told us, because it is so far away. Isn't it fortunate that the sun can lose so much of its weight daily, without noticing it? Mr. Quinnell was sorry that there was no moon, so he asked us to come again when the moon is Tip. Shortly after 8.30 w.o left, having enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and feeling a great deal more learned." The writer of the letter from which this extract ib taken was one of a party of nineteen all from the same school, who visited tho observatory on a very cold and windy night, but the intellectual enjoyment seems to have completely overshadowed any physical discomfort. The activities so far discussed are those in which.the public, old or young, are directly concerned. But for the greater part of the time tho telescopo is being used for research work. We have as yet mentioned night work only, but it. is used by day for solar1 work. There is a very aetivo solar section of the New Zealand Astronomical Society with Mr. I. L. Thorn-

covering sts pages was issued by him in June. This shows that nineteen stars have been kept under observation. In several cases tho apparent magnitude has been estimated more than thirty times during the last three months. Mr.- A. B. Quinnell has given all his energy to the service of the schools and the public. It is most encouraging to find that oven in these bad times such excellent scientific work is being done in Wellington. There are now abundant signs that the present world unrest

will not long be tolerated, and that soon a sane economic system will be inaugurated that will not allow poverty to exist in the midst of plenty. When that good time comes man will have sufficient leisure to allow the aesthetic, intellectual, and spiritual side of his nature to develop, and advances, at present inconceivable, will be made in all the powers and possibilities of humanity. It is the duty of everyone to study the means by which this glorious transformation may be brought about, and as soon as he is convinced himself, to spread to others the good tidings. Lumen Accipe et Imperti, take the light and hand it on.