SOLAR PHENOMENA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1702, 16 December 1919, Page 4

SOLAR PHENOMENA.

"SPOTS" FORM SUDDENLY.

NOTHING UNUSUAiL MAY FOLLOW.

In a memorandum issued at Auckland a* 6/30 o'clock on Sunday evening Mr G L.' Wragge says:-" The state of the sun is very interesting- at this time. Since Friday last, when there was no indication of any disturbance, an upheaval has taken place in the photosphere. There is now a large 'spot,' about 23,000 miles in diameter, with two nuclei of energy; and streaming therefrom like a comet's tail is a disturbed area, about 180,000 miles long, within which are eight minor ' spots.' "So far this is not very startling, as other solar disturbances have occurred comparatively recently of much greater extent The point of interest is in the rapidity of the outbreak, but it by no means follows from conditions as they now are that anything unusual will occur in this country, save, possibly aurora, tension on compasses, and perhaps interruption of the cable and telegraphic services. So let tho elections merrily proceed." Violent seismic disturbances predicted for to-morrow have caused alarm in Suva and a t cable > was sent to the Government seismologist r m New Zealand on the Questionasking for information. The latter rephcd that earthquakes wjere causod inaida the earth, not outside, and there was no special cause for alarm to-morrow. ■■NiaiiiiH^^ MnHBMM^