EXCITING PHENOMENON

Evening Star, Issue 23143, 17 December 1938, Page 2

EXCITING PHENOMENON

AURORA AUSTRALIS DISPLAY REASONS FOR ACTIVITY THIS YEAR An astronomical event in the Dominion this year was a vivid display of the aurora australis. Its spectacular nature was so pronounced that there have been many inquiries by persons not connected with astronomy from the Otago branch of the Astronomical Society for the reason for this phenomenon. The display occurs in 11-year cycles, and this particular one was the most remarkable ever seen in the Dominion. Interesting information about the aurora australis is given by Mr ,W. D. Anderson, of the Otago branch of the society, who said to-day that this year happened to be a year of maximum activity. According to the theory ac-

cepted by physicists, streams of particles (electrons) from the sun, travelling across space, were influenced by the earth’s magnetic field converging towards the polos. The strange and fascinating luminosity characteristic of auroral apparitions would result from the impact of the electrons on the upper atmosphere. There appeared to bo a definite connection, he said, between tho auroras and electric storms, and ironisation from particles in the air had been known to interfere with wireless reception in different parts of the world. There was also a close-re-lationship between auroral and sunspot activity. It was not considered, however, that there was any correlation between auroras and the weather, as was popularly supposed.. “ A special watch should be kept by all interested next March and April, as it is possible that another series of auroral displays will be visibly about the time of * the equinox,” said Mr Anderson. “ Indeed, during the whole of 1939 it is expected that auroral activity will be considerable, although possibly not as great as during this particular year.”