SOLAR ACTIVITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21782, 23 April 1934, Page 9

SOLAR ACTIVITY

GIANT SPOT OBSERVED" FIRST OF A SERIES ASTRONOMER'S PREDICTIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 22, 5.5 p^m.) SAN FRANCISCO, April 21 The appearance on the sun's face of a giant spot, estimated to be 16,000 miles wide, which is the first of the series due to appear during the next 12 years, will, it is predicted, bring storms, rains, electrical disturbances and climatic upheavals of a record nature. >

Astronomers announce that the spot is four days distant from the eastern rim of the sun's face. It is plainly visible through even a small telescope.-

One major manifestation will be electrical and a period of violent static may be noted by radio operators.

Solar activity, which is most plainly manifested in the number of sun spots visible, varies in a period of about 12 years. For the past three years the sun has been passing through the minimum period of activity, and only a few small spots have occurred. Astronomers have been watching for the appearance of the first spot of the new cycle, and now that such a spot has appeared the number of spots may be expected to rise until a maximum is reached aboiit eight years hence.

" Although it is certain that the earth's electrical phenomena, such as wireless and telegraphic transmission, and auroral displays, will be affected by the increasing spottedness of the sun, it i 3 exaggeration to state, as the cablegram does, that storms, rains and climatic upheavals will follow the appearance of the present spot," said an Auckland amateur astronomer last evening.

The dimension given, 16,000 miles, indicates that the spot is almost large enough to be visible to the unaided eye. It should remain visible until the end of the month.