AN EXPERIMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1935, Page 8

AN EXPERIMENT

WITH THE MOON

BY WIRELESS BEAM

CHRISTCHURCH, June 5

To find out whether a short-wave wireless beam, projected into space, would be reflected back from the moon, is the purpose of experiments to be conducted by Mr Stuart G. Kingan, o Mayfield. Mr Kingan, who is studying for his B.Sc. degree at Otago University, has already -conducted several experiments dealing with the reflection of radio waves from the ionised regions (Heaviside and other layers) of the upper atmosphere. -These reflections are supposed, according to current theory, to explain why the waves travel round the earth instead of going off into space, why somo short-wave signals seem altogether to miss certain parts of the earth’s surface, and why they vary greatly in intensity at different times of the day and year.

A five-metre wave-length will Tie used for the experiments, the transmitter having a power of 200 watts, the highest allowed an amateur station. A beam aerial that can be pointed in any direction will be used, its construction making it resemble a large telescope. The receiver to be employed by Mr Kingan to time the reflected waves will be a superheterodyne set specially built for reception. It will be stationed near Lake Heron.

If tilie anticipated results are achieved their value will depend on the accurate timing of the interval between the transmission an cl arrival of the reflected beams. The success of this work would make possible scientific calculations of the greatest interest. For example, it is uncertain whether the moon has an atmospheric layer, and the determination of this question could be one result.

It is intended to mak e the main experiment at midnight on June 16, preceded by preliminary experiments on June 8,9, 10, and 11.