SUN SPOTS AND CABLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 January 1926, Page 5

SUN SPOTS AND CABLES

ALLEGED INTERFERENCE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

SYDNEY, January 27.

A submarine magnetic disturbance in the Pacific Ocean has disorganised the world’s cable services. Cable experts in Sydney have declared that the disturbance has probably been caused by the appearance of large new sun spots. The New Zealand cable is the worst sufferer, but reports aave been received from all parts of the world that the cables are working badly- . , Most of the messages received in Sydney could not be deciphered. The disturbance commenced last night, and until ]ate to-day the cables did not resume normal conditions. Rev. Doctor Pigot, in charge of Riverview Jesuit College Observatory, Sydney, said that the magnetic disturbance in all probability is associated with, great groups of sun spots which have passed across the meridian of the sun, and are now approaching its western rim, but it is puzzling to explain why the disturbance had not occurred two or three days since, when two great groups of sun spots, wliich he had photographed, were on the centre meridian of the sun in direct line with the earth.

Dr. Pigot concluded that if there is a real connection between the phenomena of the sun spots and magnetic storms, the present storm shows that the axis of vortical movement of the electrons has been inclined very obliquely to the sun’s surface. ;

EFFECTS IN DOMINION

WELLINGTON. January 27.

The effects of the magnetic storm referred to in the cablegrams were felt in the E. E. Company’s office, but the messages were not delayed. Radio listeners have also noticed the disturbance.