SUCCESSFUL TESTS OF MYSTERY RAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 226, 25 September 1935, Page 16

SUCCESSFUL TESTS OF MYSTERY RAY

The “mystery ray”—which in secret United States Signal Corps experiments in America has proved capable of locating “enemy” ships at a greater distance and with moro accuracy than any previous detecting device—is believed on competent authority to be based on a new application of the wellknown infra-red raj’, says an American exchange. While in its present stage of development the contrivance is for purely military purposes, the fundamentals involved bear infinite possibilities for wider application in civilian use. Investigations have been carried on secretly for the past two j’ears at laboratories of the General Electric Company and the signal corps, with researchers at the point of shelving jtheir work many times. Previous tests had given only a modicum of hope for success. Technical difficulties were encountered first in directing the ray and more recently in Overcoming its tendency to “sight” large waves and clouds as enemy craft. Apparently this difficulty has been overcome in some measure, for tests held at the lighthouse station at Navesink Halls are declared to have been “most successful.”

Since 1929, two searchlight batteries of the United States Army’s Second Echelon have been equipped with “sound locators” by means of which they can locate enemy planes, spotting them with the most powerful portable searchlights available, 800,000,000 candlepower, and enabling anti-aircraft batteries to open fire.

These operate on the same theory fts a person in a still woods, hearing & twig snap near by, instantly turns his head in that direction equalising the sound in both ears and at the same time placing his ej-es automatically in the proper general direction.

The sound locator does approximately the same thing except that its “ears,” shaped like giant horns, are much more sensitive, and being farther apart can locate sound directions much more accurately. Corrections are made automatically for sound lag

Distance Conquered

figuring that sound travels 1100 feet a second. The light operator notes the plotted position of the sound and by remote control flashes the light in this direction.

The new ray is believed to work similarly, except that infra-red rays replace sound. Impulses are directed laterally out to sea. If the sea i 3 clear, the ray continues on, but if it strikes an object like a boat, it is reflected back and gives away the boat’s location both as to direction and distance.

Infra-red rays are positively charged particles moving with a high velocity. Their direction could not be tampered with by the enemy for they are only very slightly deviable by a strong magnetic current.. They are light rays beyond human vision beginning with from 65C0 to 7500 angstroms, and they are capable of penetrating fog as well as darkness.

This ability is held to be of interest to shipping in general as well as to military authorities, for jt opens up the possibility of extending the “vision” of navigators during bad fogs. There would be no need to search for new physical laws or principles, for no new ones are involved. During practical tests at' Navesink lighthouse the “enemy” was the coast guard cutter Pontehartraiu sent from Staten Island, New York, for tho duration of tests.

The Ponehartrain carried on all sorts of antics, manoeuvring around approximately five to seven miles out at sea from the lighthouse. Yet despite all her tricks she was unable to escape the pointed finger of the new ray.

Whether in motion or not, engines on or stopped, whether broadsido or heading straight in, made little difference. When the command “Into action” was given to the crew operating the giant Sperry searchlight of 800,000,000 candlepower, and the electric power was turned on, the shaft that stabbed the New Jersey darkness was found to he focussed directly on the Ponehartrain. Had the light been a 12-ineh disappearing rifle a direct hit would have been made.