HOW SUN SPOTS AFFECT US.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1926, Page 4

HOW SUN SPOTS AFFECT US.

(Dy J. A. Liny.l, ,M .!!. A. A... F.ii.A.S. in (lie "Daily Afail.”) Sunspots are fascinating things to study, for many years past it puzzled science to account for them. They are now believed to be immense whirlpools ill tile atmosphere of hot metallic lapours around I lie sun. in these vortites. ionised particles are whirled at high velocity, and send out streams of electrical energy ii, all Irections. Kvidently, therefore, sunspots are the scenes of violent disturbances which tear asunder the sun's outer easing.

Through tiie hole liius formed we can peer down into the darker interior. It. is weii kilo all that there exists a most remarkable and subtle cniincrlion between .sunspots ami various phenomena mi our earth. In the first place, sunspots affect (lie movements cl tln- magnetic, needle to a market extent. In magnetic observatories delicate instruments are installed to record the stale of magnetism of the earth, 'finis n, is found that the compass net-die does tint always poini to true north, .but oscillates slightly to right or left, or east and west, of file north point. 'I his variation of tig. magnetic needle occupies a period ot sli ••fitly over eleven year-. .Now here is the remarkable cum.

lion. Tiie number of spots on Hie sun increases ai d diminishes rhythmically. Sometimes very lev. spots are seen, or perhaps u. ue at ail. Gradually, however, more and more spots appear till

a me:• itlitlntii is re.n bed. v hen i heir number again begins to diminish. This period, or “sunspot :y<T\'' as it i, termed, al-.i mviipk-i a lit lie oier

’u r. ii a purl it ulnrly largo spat breaks tii!i it , uriy cause iJic magnet !'■ It niiiv tils:* give ri><- to brilliant displays of tilt' * 'mutln-ru ligllls.” Sometimes it, may .'■von ititorlorv ivitli telegraphic com 111 unit atinn. rendering it impossible to soml a message for hours. Tliis activity i- oalli'il a ‘‘magnetic storms.”

A curious bond also exists between sunspots and tie animal rainfall nil til,, earth. This is shown by a <ri'litl study ul' the growth fines on trees. The work ot" Professor Douglass in this connection reveals the I net that the terrestrial rainfall is somehow or other subject to the cloven-years iltict nation. Starting Ironi this well-es-tablished fact. Professor Douglass proposes to examine the lings ot iossil trees that have been buried for millions ot years. Me linpes to pain information concerning the rains that 101 l when the world was young. ■ Same scientists also believe that a cunnei tinn can he traced between the sunspot cycle and famines on the earth. Xot- only that, lint some statisticians claim to have proved a connection between sunspots and trade depressions, labour troubles, and even suicide. It is rather premature to reward this as (irmly established, though. ot course, it is impossible In say what the lutnre will show.