OF CURRENTINTEREST

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 13 (Supplement)

OF CURRENTINTEREST

SOLAR SYSTEMS ENGULFED

(By the Rev. 8.. Dudley, F.R.AB.)

Lecturing on scientific subjects a noted meteorologist recently portrayed an astronomer describing the hundreds of millions of years required for some of the remoter objects in space to forward their light to us, and then wonders of modem physics. He said that if Nero threw a pitcher of water into the Tiber, it would by this time have become thoroughly mixed throughout the world, and that, if so, “each of us this evening, in drinking a glass of water, swallowed several thousand particles of that pitcher of water.” What was more astonishing still than this, he said, was that within each of these small particles a whole miniature solar-system is in operation. Physicists do not now speak of the atom as consisting of so many solar systems. But it is true nevertheless that an atom is as empty of matter as the solar system is of planets. An atom, in other words, is nearly all space. It consists of a nucleus, which is a compact association of protons, electrons and neutrons, having on the whole a positive charge. Around these revolve, at a comparatively great distance, sufficient satellite electrons to make the whole atom electrically neutral. The experiments conducted by Rutherford in 1911, when he succeeded in bombarding, thin metal foils by the alpha particles from radium, established beyond doubt the existence of a small central nucleus in every atom where the preponderating bulk of the atom’s mass was concentrated. Thus was proved that matter is not continuous but “full of holes.” According to the Rutherfordian model, the atom is planetry, negative, with weightless electrons encircling a central, positive massive nucleus. If when we drink off a tumbler of water we do not actually swallow solar systems, we db something far more wonderful than that. Could the housewife see all that-happens when she releases a pinch of salt into a vessel of water she would open wide her eyes in astonishment.

A Newtonian Society. It has been.stated that- when monuments are erected in honour of the dead, it is a sign that those in whose memory they are put up are in danger of being forgotten. The monuments which most truly keep alive the memory of Sir Isaac Newton are his achievements. Many of these are with us to-day. Not even the philosophy of Einstein can detract from the greatness ,of Newton’s mind. A Newtonian Society has been established at London having/as its objects the honouring of the memory of this great man; to make a special stydy of Newton, both as man and scientist; to make a thorough study of his contemporaries, literary as well as scientific; and to discuss the inter-relations of science, philosophy and religion. The meeting place of the society 'is Newton Institute, Leicester Square, on the site on which stood the house in which Newton lived and where a large part of his most important work was carried out. The institute was built at the cost of nearly £4OOO. Mr. G. A. Angus is acting provisionally as secretary. ' - •

Thomas Tompion, Clockmaker. Some time ago a plaque in honour of Thomas Tompion was unveiled, by the Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in St. ; Mary’s Church, Northill, Bedfordshire. Here in. 1639 he was born. Tompion made his debut in business at Blackfriaxs, London, when but a youth. His:mechanical genius brought him fame as a mechanic in his line, and he was soon appointed court clockmaker to' Charles 11. He also became Master of the Trade’s Guild in 1704. /Two timepieces placed in Greenwich Observatory during Flamsteed’s days were made by him. In 1695 he invented the cylinder escapement for watches. This was improved upon by his pupil and successor, George Graham. Tompion’s remains lie buried in Westminster Abbey. The following interesting story relating to him has recently been published in F. J. Gould’s, This England. From 1690 to 1713 Tompion kept a watchmaker’s establishment at the comer of Water Lane and Fleet Street, London. A man brought a watch for repair. It had gone badly, and did small credit to the name engraved in it —“Thomas Tompion.” The shopkeeper, Tompion himself, examined it closely; then suddenly seized a hammer and smashed the article before the eyes of the amazed owner. He then vigorously explained that the engraved name .was forged. “Not from the Fleet Street shop did such rubbish come,” was the burden of his protest. Tompion then handed the customer a new and genuine watch, begging him to accept it gratis.

Has Mercury an Atmosphere? In a recent issue of Nature there appeared some account of an address given by Dr. H. N. Russell, as President of the American Association, a. short time ago. The doctor gave jt as iris opinion that the planet Mercury, the nearest to the solar centre of all the planets, is totally devoid of an atmosphere. He stated that in consequence of the feebleness of the gravitational pull of Mercury, a molecule of gas would fly off into space. The value of the surface gravity of this little planet is only half that of the moon, and it has long been known that this Specific gravity of the moon is not great enough to hold an atmosphere. Furthermore, argued Russell, since Mercury is so much nearer the sun than is the moon, and its temperature therefore much higher, the likelihood of its retaining an atmosphere is so much less than in this case of the moon. Antoniadi, in a letter published in the magazine referred to, states that he does not coincide with Russell in his conclusions upon this matter. He thinks that although the atmosphere of Mercury is extremely tenuous, its existence is shown by the fact that the planet’s well known surface features are frequently obscured by local clouds. And, of course, there could not be clouds, whether of vapour or. dust, without atmosphere. In the Journal of the British Astronomical’ Association for May, 1935, attention is called to a unique event which may help to solve the problem which, as we have seen, is not yet settled. During May, 1937, there will be a partial transit of Mercury. The \planet will on the 11th of that month “graze” the edge of the sun. For about 40 minutes it will hang on the sun’s limb, as it were, and the occasion will offer an opportunity for observing at leisure whether an arc of sunlight due to an atmosphere is seen round the portion of the planet that is not projected on the sun. On no previous occasion when Mercury has passed between the earth and the sun has a ring of light around the planet certainly observed. This matter is sure to receive much attention at the coming transit.