Astronomical

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11649, 13 October 1923, Page 12

Astronomical

New Zealand Astronomical Society Interesting and Instructive Notes Special to “N.Z. Times’ 1 by “Alpha Centauri.” 1 Contributions to these columns should be addressed to the Society , j Hector Observatory, Wellington. • J

PHENOMENA POE: NOVEMBER, 1923. Date. Time. Phenomena. 2 8.19 a.m. Moon at last quarter. 3 7.17 a.m. Neptune in conj. with Muon. 5 7.41 a.m. Venus in conj. with Jupiter. 6 9.47 p.m. Mars in conj. with Moon. 7 7.18, p.m. Saturn in conj. with Moon. 8 5.01 p.m. Mercury in conj. with Moon. 9 2.57 a.m. New Moon. 9 7.12 p.m. Jupiter conj. with Moon. 15 7.11 p.m. Jupiter sets. 15 8.08 p.m. Venus sets. 15 7.11 p.m. Formalhant on meridian, alt. Tldeg. N. 15 8.39 p.m. Alpha Crucis on meridian below pole. alt. 21det?. S. 15 9.11 p.m. Moon at first quarter. 15 9.52 p.m. Achornar on meridian, alt. 74 deg. S. 15 10.15 p.m. Beta Oentauri on meridian below pole, alt. lldeg. S. 15 10.51 p.m. Alpha Centauri on meridian below pole, alt. 12deg-. 16 11.30 a.m. Mercury at superior conj. with Sun. 27 2.53 p.m. Uranus in conj. with Moon. 20 5.23 p.m. Mercury in conj. with Jupiter. 23 9.30 a.m. Jupiter in conj. with Sun. 24 0.28 a.m. Full Moon. SO 2.04 p.m. Neptune in conj. with Moon. SUNSPOTS Sunspot observations at the Hector Observatory, Wellington, during August, 1923: August Ist, 2nd, 3rd, sth, 6th, 7th, Bth, 9th, 10th, 12th. 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th.—No spots seen. August 31st, 2.00 p.m.—No spots seen, but a bright patch of faculae near eastern limb. Solar activity extremely low this month; twenty-four observations were obtained, but no spots were recorded. THE YALE TELESCOPE HELP SOUGHT TO TEST SKIEiS. FOE SUITABLE LOCATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

The movement to take advantage of the offer of a valuable telescope by Yale University for astronomical observation in New-Zealand was advanced a little further by a deputation to the Acting-Prime Minister (S ir Francis Bell) asking a small subvention for the purpose of testing the skies for a suitable location for the telescope. The deputation, which represented the New Zealand Astronomical Society, consisted of Sir Frederick Chapman, Dr Adams (Government Astronomer), and Professor Summerville.

Sir Frederick Chapman briefly stated the purpose of the deputation as the request for a moderate subvention in order to examine sites with the object of securing a suitable location for the telescope. Dr Adams said that the Yale authorities desired an actual telescopic test of the skies in New Zealand to determine what would be the best site. A- portable telescope with a 6 or 7-inch aperture would be sufficient. A similar programme had been carried out in Canada by the Canadian Government in endeavouring to locate a 72-inch instrument most suitably. The officer concerned spent about a fortnight at each of sites, and then returned to those, that seemed the best for further investigations. The quest took about "four months altogether. Dr Sell linger, of Yale, had asked that Auckland and places in Otago should be tested, and suggested that it might require about four months. Meteorological records were not sufficient; the ekies must be tested as well. Dr Adams suggested that JBSOO would probably suffice to carry out the necessary investigation in New Zealand. Tney had a suitable instrument at Kelburn, which only required mounting on a portable base. It was about six feet long. The Yale authorities had offered to help ip the testing of Auckland, and ask that similar tests might be carried ofit elsewhere. What they wanted was a place that was astronomically -good, : .and, if possible, near a centre of civilisation. The first step was to determine scientifically the condition of the atmosphere for astronomical purposes. Sir Francis Bell 6aid that there was ft certain difficulty in determining satisfactorily what was "near a centre of civilisation.” The towgs in New Zealand were mostly on or near the coast, and the coast, to his. view, was not suit- ; able for astronomical observation. He j would like as soon as possible to have j some more definite view of what was . the measure of civilisation required. He j did not think there would be any ditfU cultv with the Government, and he would put the matter before Cabinet with the necessary details of information available on the subject.

CLEAR SKIES AND CULTURE

Clear skies are not to be diagnosed only from weather reports. So the astronomers think, and probably they are right, for when the star-gazer is busy the weather man takes his well-earned rest. Conditions appear serious to the telescopic eye, moreover, that are not alarming ti such people as romantically view the heavens, and whose desire in the maltcr-of stars is rather for twinkle than for steadiness. Thus as no ready-to-an-swer arbiter is in the field, a gentle little war of sites is in progress in New Zealand, Yale University has made a generous offer to hand over a large telescope to New Zealand for serious use, and it is desired by both donors and prospective user) that the instrument shall ho located in the best possible position. But what that position is, nobody seems to know. On purely a. 6 tronimical grounds Banks Peninsula and Central Otago have both been highly commended. While WVlington, which possesses a number of earnest astronomers, is allowing the question to be settled on the evidence without itself* ealling any. Auckland has fulfilled some people's anticipations, by putting in a vigorous claim: and no doubt an observatory, though of comparatively small direct value as a social or commercial asset, has a distinct prospective value as a meteorological testimoninl, and is reasonably to be sought by any proper means. The New Zealand Astronomical Society, desiring the site to be properly chosen, recently asked the Government for a grant so that it can make a telescopic test of tl\o proposed sites, and had a kindly recontion from Sir Francis Bell. But fir Francis saw a difficulty. 'Jim deputation suggested that the site should bo "near a centre of civilisation”; and, as the Acting-Frime Minister remarked, tho j towns in New Zealand are mostly on or neftr the coast, C which is not suitable for

. j astronomical observation. If the location a of the telescope is allowed to become a ■ test of tlie decree ot civilisation and its surroundings, the work of the selectors is going to be doubly hard. Perhaps they l will find their task simplified if >hey propound the principle that, instead of - telescopes seeking culture, culture clings to the observatory as a garment. “Trade follows the flag.” Let the observatory 1 stand where it can sec best, and civilisation—to a degree—will settle about it. — 1 "'Evening Post.” SITE FOR AN OBSERVATORY In response to ths invitation in tho . preceding astronomical notes, Mr G. V. Hudson, of Hillview, Karori, Wellington, i has undertaken, systematic observations on the method there described of the state of the night sky, beginning on July 7th, 1923. The following are the results of liis observations:— ASTRONOMICAL SITES. Observer, G. V. Hudson. Instrument, 4 inch telescope (150 diameters). Place, ITillview. Karori, Wellington, New Zealand. 1923. July 7th, 5.30 p.m.—Spica, unsteady; scale, 4-6; definition \erv variable; 8.E., B.C. July 11th, 5.15 p.m.—Spica, very good; scale.. 8; rings hardly moving, cloudy ai times July 11th, 9.30 p.m.—Beta Centauri, very good; scale, 8; cloudy at times, calm. July 12th. 5.15 p.m.—Beta Centauri, unsteady; scale, 6; light S.E.;.def. poor on Jupiter and Saturn. July 14th. 6.00 p.m.—Spica, unsteady; 1 scale. 6: E.S.E., hazy; def. poor. j July 16th, 7.15 p.m.—Spica, unsteady; j scale. 6; 8.C.; light N.E. ! July 27th, 5.20 p.m.—Spica. unsteady; j scale, 6: B.C. • S.E., fresh breeze. j July 23th. 9.00 p.m.—Altair, unsteady;! scale. 6; S.E. breeze, few clouds. i July 31st, 5.30 p.m.—Spica, unsteady;! scale 6; light S.E., very clear. August 2nd, 7.20 p.m.—Beta Scorpii, I very good; scale, 8: calm, a few clouds. I August 2nd, 9.00 p.m.—Alpha Crucis, | very good; scale, 8-10: rings hardly mov-| ins:. | August 3rd, 6.45 p.m. Spica, fair; scalev 6; light N.W. August sth, 5.20 p.m.—Spica. unsteady; scale 6; N.W. breeze, very clear. , August sth, 9.45 p.m.—Fomalhaut, unsteady; scale, 6; light N.W., almost calm, very clear. August 6th, 7.30 p.m.—-Spica, much boiling; scalq, 2; def. very bad, N.W. breeze. August 7th, 7.30 p.m.—Alpha Pavonis, unsteady; scale, 6; S.E. breeze and passing clouds, very clear. August Bth, 7.00 p.m.—Spica, unsteady; scale. 6: light S.E., very clear. August 12th. 9.30 p.m.—Altair* fair; scale, 6; S.E. breeze, B.C. August 13th, 7.30 p.m.—Alpha Crucis, unsteady; scale. 6; S.E. light, clear, def. good at times. August 14th, 7.20 p.m.—Beta Crucis, good; scale, 8; calm .-met dear/ August 16th, 5.50 p.m.—Spica, very ■woolly; scale, 6; N.W. breeze nrd squally. August 25th. 8.30 p.m.—Beta Scorpii and Antares, good; scale, 8; calm and clear. ? August 25th, 9.00 p.m.—Alpha Centauri, very good; scale, 8-10:. rings hardly moving. August 26th, 10.00 p.m.—Altair, very good: scale. 6-8: N.W., B.C. August 27th, 7.00 p.m.—Alpha Centauri, extremely fine; scale, 10; slight to calm, very clear. August 28th, 10.00 p.m.—Altair, much boiling; scale, 2-4; light N.W., B.C. •. August 29th, 8.00 p.m.—Fomalhaut, coding scale, 0; def. very bad, September Ist, 8.00 p.m.—Alpha Cen- ' faun, fair; scare, 6; slight to calm, B.C. September 2nd, 7.00 p.m.—Alpha Cen|:n ir], good; scale, 6.8: rings sometimes : broken, calm and clear. September 2nd, 9.00 p.m.—Alpha Centauri, very good; scale, 8-10; rings .hardly moving. September 3rd, 8.00 p.m.—Alpha Crucis, poor; scale, 4-6; much cloud, light N.W. September 4th, 7.00 p.m.—Antares, very good; scale, 8; calm, clear, rings hardly moving. September 4th, 8.45 p.m.—Alpha Centauri, very good; scale, 8; calm, clear, rings hardly moving. September sth, 7.15 p.m.—Alpha Centauri, very good; scale, 6-8; calm, clear, movement in rings considerable. September sth, 9.00 p.m.—Antares, good; scale, 6; calm, clear, rings broken. | September 6th, 7.00 p.m.—Altair, fairly t good; scale, 6; calm, clear, brilliant, i September 6th, 8.10 p.m.—Fomalhaut, , good; scale, 6-8; rings hardly broken, j September 7th, 6.30 p.m.—Beta Cen- J I tauri, good; scale, 6-8; 8.C., light N.W., 1 | rings hardly broken. t September 18th, 7.00 p.m.—Fomalhaut, [ fair; scale, 6; much haze and cirrus, ( calm. i Definitions.—B.C., blue sky, he the at- i mosphere clear or heavy; clouds, passing j clouds; F. 8., fresh breezes. t Observations were made on every fine t evening, except on two occasions, when other engagements prevented observa- , tions. t The observations show the following < percentages for the period July 7th to 1 September 18th : > i Scale. Percentages. J

22 6 6r J bad seeing. 2-4 2.6 4 - 4-6 5.X # 6 46.1 6-8 12.8 8 17.9 8-10 7.7 10 2.6 Excellent seeing. Observations were possible on 45 per cent, of the nights, and the average of the observations was 6.4. SOME SUGGESTED SITES. Sfc. Bathane.—Dr. V. D. Griffon, now at Oliakune,: advocates the vicinity of St. Bathans, Otago Central, as the site for the observatory. He had. six years experience of the placo, and he commends its freedom from fog when all the suriounding district for many miles was under dense fog. Havelock North.—The Hastings Chamber of Commerce suggests that: tests should bo made in Hawke's Bay, particularly on the hills at Havelock North. It is claimed that the clear skies generally prevailing and the absence of moisture eo ’Roticeablo there in all seasons, justifies astronomical tests being carried out there. Havelock North is an educational centre. There aro three big schools there —Woodford House (girls), Herotaunga School (Anglican boys), and lona College (Presbyterian girls). Otherwise it is a residential district and the lovely homes on Jhe foothills testify to the popularity of its climate and beautiful surroundings. A public park of 300 acres has been presented by Messrs Chambers Brothers to tho Government of Now Zealand. The area contained in this gift extends to tho summit of To Mata hill (a peak on tho Havelock hills) and covers the slope of'the bill facing the sun. A motor road to the summit, now nearly completed, will enahlo visitors from ilastip"s to reach tho ridgo of tho hill

in hair an hour. There ore several sites which we think would he suitable for an observatory, and wo arc of the opinion that people of the district would subscribe to help defray the cost of the building if it is decided to erect one there.

BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL (ASSOCIATION) HANDBOOK

The handbook of the British Astrono- ! mica-1 Association is published annually i for the benefit of amateur astronomers ; throughout tire world. The handbook is : published in the form of an almanac, . containing data relating to eclipses and ! other phenomena in the year for which j the book is published, and also astronoj mieal tables containing* information of permanent interest. The B.A.A. handbook is equally useful in all parts.of the world, and in many of its articles special consideration is ‘ given to the Southern Hemisphere. The following is a list of the contents in the handbook for 11)23: * Tables for Moonrise and Moonset, for North Hemisphere. Rising and Setting of Planets, for North Hemisphere. Planetary Phenomena. Dclipses. Ephcmoris for Physical Observations of the Sun Magnetic Elements.. Pulkova Mean Refractions. Occupations of Bright Stars and Planets, for Wellington and other places. Ephemeris of Vesta and Eros. Longitude of Central Meridian of Jupiter. Phenomena of Saturn's Satellites, for Wellington and other places. Paths of Uranus and Neptune. D'Arrest’s Comet. Proper names of Stars. The Moving Clusters. Variable Stars. * ! Algol. Precession. . Telescopic Objects. Definitions and Distinctions. Test Objects for Varioxis Apertures. Recent Measures of Double Stars. Magnitudes of Double Stars. Abbreviated names for Constellations. Elements of Planetary Orbits. Astronomical Constants. Mathematical and Miscellaneous Constants. Dimensions of Sun, Moon and Planets. Copies of this book have been distributed to members of the society. THE NEW ZEALAND ASTRONOMI- • CAL SOCIETY. The objects of the Sooiety are:—The encouragement of interest in astronomy, the association of astronomical observers ; and other persons interested in astronomy j for their mutual help and organisation j for astronomical work, the publication ! and circulation of astronomical informal j tion, the advancement of astronomy and jof subjects Telated thereto. The Society j supplies members with these astronomical notes every month, and with, the as--1 tronomical notes written by Mr E. G. Hogg, F.R.A.S., Christchurch, and by i Rev. H. J. Fletcher, Taupo. This j year members have also been supplied with the British Astronomical Associa- | tion Handbook, and with the Monthly j Evening S.ky Map for June, 1923. Members are entitled to • substantial discounts from a British firm of astronomical and optical instrument-makers. Further information can be obtained by members and intending members on application to the society. OFFICERS AND COUNCIL. President, C. E. Adams, D.Sc., F.R.A.S.; Vice-presidents, Sir F. H. D. Bell, G.C.M.G., K.C., Sir F. R. Chapman, Thomas Allison, F.R.A.S., John C. Begg, F.R.A.S.; Treasurer, C. G. G. Berry; Secretary, D. M. Y. Sommerville, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.; Editor, A. C. Clifford, M.A., F.R.A.S.; Librarian, R. C. Hayes; Council, C. Coleridge Farr, D.Sc.. E. G. Hogg, M.A., F.R.A.S., G. S. Hooper, F.R.A.S., Sir Robert Stout, P.C., K.C.M.G, LL.D., D.C.L., Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., J. T. .Ward. MONTHLY EVENING SKY MAPS "The Monthly Evening Sky Map" is the title of a popular American astronomical journal published monthly by Leon Barritt, of Brooklyn, New York. It is essentially a paper for the amateur, containing, besides original articles, abstracts of articles from other scientific journals, and information from almanacs 'which is likely to be.of use to the amateur. Star maps are given for both northern and southern hemispheres, on which the* positions of the planets are indicated for each month. Advertisements pertaining to astronomical instruments, lists of books on astronomy, together with diagrams and illustrations, go to make up a most interesting source of information for the amateur astronomer.

A copy of the "Sky Map" for June, 1923, has been forwarded to each member of the Society.