IN STARRY SKIES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 20

IN STARRY SKIES

THE NORMAN LOCKYER OBSERVATORY

(By. "Omega Centauri.") In the great new science of astrophysics the older sciences of physics, chemistry, and astronomy are brought into such intimate relation to one another that a single series of experiments may throw light simultaneously on the evolution of the elements and the evolution of the stars. In such experiments Loekyer was a pioneer. He was one of the very first to realise that the spectrum of an element is not fixed and unalterable. It can be modified by a change of conditions, and simplified by an extreme Increase in temperature. Lockyer realised-further that in the stars we have .crucibles which provide temperatures far exceeding any attainable on earth. He was soon led on to another 'discovery.'The stars are not all cooling. In many the temperature is still rising. There' is for stars'

an upward as well* as a downward grade. This is a magnificent conception, for it deals a death blow, to the dismal idea that the universe is like a machine that has at some-time been.wound up and is now inevitably running down. This gloomy outlook is for ever removed. Stars and systems have their life histories, their births and- their deaths, but of the infinite universe itself there is no indication either of a beginning or an end. The great 'problem of cosmogony is to discover how stars and systems are rejuvenated and how the universe is kept forever young. Lockyer himself took a most important step in this direction when he proved the abundance and importance of non-luminous matter in space. Every one who came in contact with Sir Norman Loekyer seems to have been impressed by the splendid use he mado of the imagination. He always employed some fertile working hypothosis which waited to bo confirmed or corrected by the experiments and observations which it suggested. Observations lose moi'p than half their value if. made at random ' and not grouped and arranged in accordance with some guiding principle. Lockyer ?s theory of the dissociation, of tho elements and his famous meteoric hypothesis led to a great increase in the knowledge of atoms and of stars. Lock: yer was no mere specialist. He had wide scientific and national interests, and made strenuous and most successful efforts to improve the teaching of all branches of science.' He was associated with Huxley, Roscoe, and Balfour Stewart in planning the series of Science Primers, each written by an expert—little books of which millions were sold. His address on "The Influence-: of - Brain Power on History,'' when he was president of the British Association in 1903, led to the immediate doubling of the grant for university education. He always stressed the necessity of combining research with university teaching. He was the leader of eight solar eclipse expeditions sent out by the British Government, 'and their success was due in large part to the power of his infectious enthusiasm in inciting the officers and the men of the warships, which conveyed the ex■peditions to assist in every possible

way. Lockyef was one of the first to study thorqughly. the influence of solar ! conditions on meteorological phenomona. His 'archaeological studios revealed the astronomical purposes of Egyptian temples and of tho stone circles of i ancient Briton. Ho fixed dates which wore confirmed later in independent ways. Ho found, for instance, that Stonehenge was constructed between ■1900 and 1500 8.C., and that avenues I and stone circles were erected in jiarts of Britain as early as 2400 B.C. Ho was one of the earliest to explain tlie wonderful glows which followed the eruption of Krakatoa. Lockyer was always keen to stress the national aspects of scientific Study. He hoped that the British Association would take a more active part in endeavouring to make the scientific spirit a national characteristic. He found that members were interested chiefly each in his own restricted field of research, so in 1905 he founded the British' Science Guild, whose main purpose is to stimulate the appreciation of the value of knowledge. Sir Norman Loekyer devoted the last seven years of his life to founding and using a private observatory, which has developed into a permanent one. South Kensington, owing to building developments, had become quite unsuitable for astronomical observation. Lockyer

wanted it moved to the best site that could be found in the country, and was disappointed when Cambridge wa's chosen." . He then erected his own observatory at Salcombe Regis, Sidmouth, and called it the Hill Observatory. Later, to ensure its permanence, a corporation was formed, and after the death of Sir Norman Lockyer, his son, Dr. W. J. S. Lockyer, was appointed director. This observatory, which is doing excellent spectroscopic work, is supported entirely by, donations. The buildings and equipment Were mostly provided "by Sir Norman and Lady Lockyer and Lieut.-Colonel. Frank M'Clean. The services of the council and advisory committees are all performed voluntarily,' the sole object of all concerned being to increase the knowledge of the heavens. In his obituary notice of Sir Norman Lockyear Sir Biehard Gregory, now editor of "Nature," describes this observatory as one of the best in the country, and adds that "it could become one of the best, in tho world if wealthy benefactors here were as much interested in the promotion of 'astronomical research as they are in the United States, where the most notable work is now being done in astrophysics." The photograph shows the twin telescope presented to the observatory by Lieut.-Colonel F. K. M'Clean. The 12----inch refractor is provided with two 12----inch prisms, one with* an angle of 20 degrees, tho other of 15 degrees. This telescope has a camera attached to it, which is used in photographing the spectra of the fainter stars. . The 10----inch refractor is used for visual observations and for guiding the other. The instrument is electrically controlled. In a building called the Kensington Dome is another twin telescope consisting of ten-inch, refractor for visual purposes, and a nine-inch refractor with a prism, which is used for photographing the spectra of the brighter stars. Sir Norman Lockyer presented to the observatory a 30-inch reflector with a mirror by Common. Unfortunately thfe war interfered with its erection, and the observatory to hold it has not yet been built. Meanwhile splendid work is being done with the other instruments in stellar classification, stellar distances, and the study of Novae.