SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1930, Page 16

SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE

POLAR YEAR PROPOSALS INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS. BIG SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME.Wellington, July 22. In the last- quarter of the nineteenth century it was felt by meteorologists that far more valuable scientific results would, accrue from polar expeditions if, instead, of expedition* of an isolated character, parties were to proceed to a number of well distributed stations in high latitudes . and there carry out simultaneous observation* arranged on a uniform plan for a full year’s period. The first International Polar Year was therefore organised and from August, 1882, to August,, 1883, fourteen expeditions were in the field, twelve in the Arctic and two in the Antarctic, each fully equipped for comprehensive observations in meteorology and terrestrial magnetism. The practical scientific results of tiie first Polar Year were very great, especially in terrestrial magnetism, indeed, the present charts of the north polar region are based largely on ob' serrations taken in 1882-83.' In meteorology the results were scarcely less important, especially to the weathei- forecaster. In the long period which lias elapsed since the first Polar Year many new problems have arisen, requiring additional data for their solution. Not only hag knowledge of the atmosphere, its constitution and properties, and its processes, increased enormously but there has been' an equal advance in the development of instruments and methods of observing. Immeasurably greater use could therefore be made of the data which would be derived from a second Polar Year’s work. In particular, the main field of inquiry has- been transferred from the surface of the earth to the upper air. The development of wireless communication has discovered the existence of one or more electrically conducting layers at great heights, which are believed to be 'connected with the radiation irom the sun and the phenomena of the aurora. The aurora in turn is in some way associated with tile development of “magnetic storms,” which form a fundamental problem in terrestrial magnetism. Both aurora and magnetic storms are most conspicuously developed in high latitudes, but for their study isolated polar expeditions are of little value. It is only from the co-operation of a considerable number of observers, stationed at strategic points in both polar regions and manipulating standard instruments according to a definite and pre-arranged plan, that the fullest results can be expected. In the first Polar Year the meteorological observations were concerned solely with ground level, for in 1882 the necessary instruments and methods for investigating the winds and temperatures of the upper air had not been developed. Now, however, upper air investigation is an essential part of meteorological activity. In Europe and the temperate parts of North America a great deal has been done, but our knowledge of the upper conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic is small. Such knowledge is essential for many purposes —for the completion of our picture of the paths followed by the air in it* circulation about the globe, for the continued progress of weather forecasting, and for'the development of aviation across the Arctic Ocean. It is only by organised co-operative effort that this essential information can be surely obtained. At the International Conference of Directors of Meteorological Institutions at Copenhagen in 1929, therefore, it was decided to organise a second Polar ‘Year. For both practical and sentimental reasons 1932-33, the jubilee of the first year, appeared to be an appropriate date, and it was consequently chosen. The plans for the event, though still far from complete, a,re already far advanced. It is proposed to re-occupy; as far as possible, all the original stations established in .1882-1883, but additional stations will also be established. Improved facilities for transport will make the problem much simpler, and the fullest use will be made of existing means. There is no doubt that the countries of the northern hemisphere are determined to make the work in the Arctic a complete success; Germany, France, Holland, Russia, Denmark, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United States of America, Great Britain, and probably Italy, will send expeditions. The expedition* contemplated are not large undertakings necessitating the employment of special ships. They will in most cases consist of a party of three or four young men who will proceed to places where accommodation is already available and take observations according to an approved plan throughout the year. There will be three main avenues of research— , ]. Terrestrial magnetism and aurora. 2. Investigation of the upper air. 3. General meteorological observations.

It is anticipated that atmospheric electricity, wireless problems and the ozone content of the upper atmosphere will al*o be investigated. Observations are desired in each polar region at two eerie* of stations, one serie* situated along a circle of latitude and the other along a magnetic meridian. In addition, it i* hoped to establish a series of stations in the Arctic along the line of maximum auroral frequency. This is a belt surrounding the Magnetic Pole at a distance of some hundred* of miles from it. The displays of aurora arc more rrequent and brilliant along this line than either nearer the Magnetic Pole or at greater distances. In high southern latitudes it would be regarded as satisfactory if five stations could be set up, while three is a minimum. One of these should be as near as possible to the South Magnetic Pole, and Cape Adare in South Victoria Land which has already been occupied by two expeditions and where hut* are available, would be a suitable location. The aim of the meteorological work during the Polar Year will be the broad study of the atmosphere in polar regions, and its relation to the atmosphere in lower latitudes. One of the principal objects, of immediate practical value, will be the preparation of daily weather maps representing the state of the atmosphere at sea-level in the two polar regions. At present daily .weather maps very seldom permit a thorough study of conditions and changes on the polar side of the great atmospheric disturbances of the temperate zone, and a new series of maps is required for thia purpose, based on a better dlstributiou of stations. In the

northern hemisphere this need will be met by radio messages from some if not all of the stations taking part in the main magnetic and meteorological work and by the establishment of a number of well distributed ordinary meteorological stations to fill gaps in the existing cireum-polar network of meteorological reporting stations. In the Antarctic the problem is more difficult. No permanent meteorological stations exist in high southern latitudes, with the exception of that in the South Orkneys, and apart from the Antarctic continent the land areas there are of small extent. The great expanse of sea makes it probable however that the phenomena of the “polar front” occur there in a more simple form than in the north where they are complicated by the land areas. It is desired to investigate the region of the sub-Antarctic •islands rather than the conditions close to the South Pole, and this need would bo met by the establishment of a very few stations on the Antarctic continent, combined with as many as possible on the islands, and by the organisation of meteorological observations on board ships,’ especially on the whalers which are numerous in certain parts of the Antarctic waters.

Still more important will be the investigation of the circulation of the air between the polar regions and lower latitudes, which is necessary for the study of the mechanics of the atmosphere as well as for immediate progress in weather forecasting. Pilot balloon observations will be made wherever possible. New Zealand is expected to undertake its share of the investigations above mentioned, and New Zealand scientists are naturally anxious that it should do *o. The matter ha* been taken up enthusiastically by the New Zealand Institute on the initiative of its president, Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, F.R.S. The institute has appointed a committee tb organise the Dominion’s contribution to the general plan. This committee consists of His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, Professor C. Colerdige Far, Sir J. J. Kinsey, Mr. George Shirtcliffe, Dr. E. Marsden, Mr. H. E. Wal*he,Mr. W. R. B. Oliver, Mr. A. E. Hefford, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville, Professor W. N. Benson, professor P. W. Burbidge, Professor D. C. H. Florance. and Dr. E. Kidsbn (convener).

The committee held its first meeting on Wednesday, July 16. Mr. Shirtcliffe was elected chairman and Dr. Kidson secretary. It was resolved to get into touch with the Australian authorities with a view to co-operation and the coordination of effort in these regions. A discussion was held regarding the programme which should be aimed at. Final decisions will, of course, not bo possible until after thorough discussion with ■ other authorities and until it is known what lunda will be available. In the latter connection it may be mentioned that since the expeditions will not leave until 1932, there is every reason for hoping that the present financial depression will have passed before it will be necessary to provide the actual funds. In principal, therefore, the committee decided to envisage the following provisional programme: — 1. That the British authorities be urged to establish a station at Cape Aclare, it being felt that European countries should not concentrate solely on the Northern Hemisphere. 2. That New Zealand should establish its main station at Macquarie Island where huts are already available, while a subsidiary station may be established at the Auckland Islands. 3. That as much biological, botanical and geological work as conditions allowed should be undertaken by the N*w Zealand expeditions in addition to the meteorological and geophysical work, 4. It. was- thought probable that another station, such as Sir Douglas Mawson’s base in Adelie Land, might be established by Australia, thus completing a good distribution . in these regions. , The occasion of the Polar Year will be a very important one in scientific history, and the committee confidently anticipates a lively interest in the project on the part of the general public and active support in the furtherance of its plans. . . |,