WELLINGTON CITY OBSERVATORY.

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1933, Page 24

WELLINGTON CITY OBSERVATORY.

Observers using the 9-iuch telcstiope on Friday last week-, had au interesting experience in seeing an occupation of the bright red star .Antares 'by the moon: Usually the stars occulted by. the moon are fairly faint, and as the moon gradually but smoothly approaches it the star is suddenly extinguished by the moon's limb. The suddenness - with which stars disappear"from view in. this manner is considered by astronomers to be a sure proof of the nou-existence>n an atmosphere on the moon. On this^occasion, however, the star Antares " disappeared ' relatively slowly. The slowness with .respect to this particular star was noticed two years ago by Japanese astronomers,, and it is believed that the tremendous size of the star is the cause. Although, many lightyears distant, the diameter of the star being some 400' million miles, this explanation probably accounts for the' phenomenon. On reappearing from behind the moon, the small green companion was seeii first, and' then, in the words of the observer, "like a. rising sun"- Antares itself appeared-after one or'two seconds. Antares is a. double star, the green companion, of which is usually only seen in good large telescopes, but in this case the moon hid Antares itself, and allowed the companion to be' seen. Last Saturday night the weather prevented the telesope being -used for the benefit of visitors, .but a lecture was given on Mars/ in which the many fascinating theories were briefly discussed. The course of man s study on Mars from Tycho Brahc, to Lowell and Schiaparelli was outlined and it was shown that the planet had a romantic history. The observatory will be open to the public tonight, when a lecture will be given on "Star Clusters," and the telescope used., . The observatory opens at 7.30 p.m, . .