ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 13

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

WORK IN NEW PLYMOUTH. REVIEW OF PROGRESS MADE. Not only have the original aims of the society been fulfilled, but a considerable extension of the activities has been instituted and developed, states the honorary director and secretary, Mr. F. J. Morehead, in his report which will be presented to the New Plymouth Astronomical Society tq-morrow night. Chief among these are the lunar occultation observations and the systematic observation of certain selected variable stars. The former were undertaken by the observing staff at the invitation of the authorities in Great Britain. In this work we form a link in an international chain of observers whose aim is to obtain reliable observations for correcting the errors in the existing tables of the moon’s motion. The variable star observations were undertaken as the result of negotiations made by the director of the variable star section of the New Zealand Astronomical Society. _ The executive council met at intervals during the year, and a summary of the business transacted has . been published. During the year 312 visitors were recorded at the observatory, including a party of nine relatives of the late director, the Rev. O. Blundell. The observatory was open to the public on 59 occasions, and the sum of £3 Is 5d was placed in the contribution box by the visitors. The director wishes to acknowledge the enthusiastic assistance received from the observers, Messrs, p. W. Glover, F.R.A.S., D. Wilkinson and B. M. Wilson, in the entertaining of the large number of visitors,. and their help and advice in connection with the observing programme now in operation. . . In this connection the president wishes specially to mention Mr. Wilkinson s acceptance of the sole charge of the variable star observations and Mr.. Glovers performance of all computations required for the efficient observing and recording of occultations. Recently the director of the solar section of the N.Z.A.S. invited us to co-operate in the systematic observation of solar activity. We were, however, reluctantly forced to decline until such time as the acquisition of further observationa assistance shall enable us to do so without interference with the present observing programme. Anyone willing to qualify as an observer and so assist the present staff is assured of a welcome, and is earnestly requested to interview the director. The work will be found both interesting and instructive. Very fine sun-spot groups were recorded by Mr. Wilkinson on November 11 and 18 and January 18; that on the latter date he estimated as being approximately 80,000 by 20,000 miles. Owing to the presence of cloud, the lunar eclipse of November 27 was unfortunately not observed. Regular observation of the moon and planets, when favourably situated, has been continued. As in the past, comet searching has been continued but with no discoveries. Six lunar occultations were observed, and the results forwarded to London through Dr. C. E. Adams, together with, the results of the occultations of Jupiter and his satellites. Considering the vagaries of the weather, this may be accepted as a very good performance. Observers in attendance have on several occasions had their projected observations prevented by temporary obscuration of the moon by cloud. With commendable industry Mr. Wilkinson has made a total of 430* observations of the six variable stars which he has under investigation. In my last annual report I drew attention to the very generous action of the president in financing, on behalf ,ot the society, the purchase of a maime chronometer for use at the observatory. Dr. Home has recently written to the secretary advising him of his intention to present this instrument to the society. I feel certain, that members will acknowledge in a fitting manner this most generous act. Dr. Home, who retires under .the rules, has consented to again offer himself for re-election to the presidency of the society.' The members of the executive council retiring by ballot are Messrs. Johnson, Morehead and Glover, who are eligible for re-election. At the request of Dr. L. J.. Comrie, oi H.M. Nautical Almanac Office, and Mr. T. Whitwell, director B.A.A. computing section, the observer, Mr, P. W. Gmyei, F.R.A.S., has undertaken the prediction of lunar occultations for New Zealand, commencing with the year 1931, and has now also acceded to their request. to reduce the results of lunar occultation observations made at the observatory, this latter work having been performed previously in the U.S.A. He has also, at the request of Dr. 0. E. Adams, computed the general predictions and constants for the visual and photo-o-raphic observation of the total solar eclipse of October 21, 1930, at Niuefou

Island. It is hoped to organise a New Zealand expedition for the. observation of this eclipse, for which these predictions will be required.