BYRD EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1928, Page 4

BYRD EXPEDITION

MAGNETIC WORK IN ANTARCTIC. SCIENTISTS MAY USE THE CHRISTCHURCH OBSERVATORY. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 18. Although no official instructions have .vet been received at the Christchurch .Magnetic Observatory regarding the preparations for Commander R. E. Byrd’s Antarctic Expedition, it is anticipated that the scientists accompanying the expedition will make use of the facilities of the observatory both before their departure for the southern regions and on their return.

Mr H. F. Skey, director of the Magnetic Observatory, stated yesterday that he expected that the expedition would be completely equipped for its scientific observations, but the results of the work of the observatory should bo of use to the expedition for comparative purposes. Similarly the Melbourne Observatory would prove useful to the expedition.

If it was considered advisable to check the instruments before leaving for the Antarctic, some of the scientists would be almost certain to come to the Christchurh Observatory, said Mr Skey. Also while the expedition was in the Antarctic the records obtained in Christchurch would prove very useful in the final discussions on the magnetic observations. In previous Antarctic expeditions, use bad been .made of tile observatory for the standardisation of the land magnetic instruments before the final departure of the parties. As, however, Commander Byrd was coming direct from the United States, it was possible that it might not be necessary for the Christchurch Observatory to do much before he left for the south.

“The important thing from the magnetic point of view,’’ said Mr Skey, “is that while the expedition is in tlie Antarctic the magnetic field should be accurately observed hero and in Melbourne, in order to obtain the occurate mean values of magnetic declination. horizontal magnetic force and vertical magnetic force. Very great importance is attached to magnetic observations in the polar regions, because of the effect on the weather of a large part of the world, and it is quite possible that, in the final discussions, the results of tlie observations of all tho magnetic observatories in the world will he taken into consideration. On account of tlic climatic conditions, it is not possible to establish permanent observatories in the extreme southern latitudes; therefore when an expedition of this sort goes to the Antarctic, it is of'very great value from a meteorological point of view.” Air Skey said that be was prepared to do everything possible to assist the expedition in its researches. He was glad to notice that a second ship had been obtained, as past experience showed that it was absolutely necessary to have two ships for such expeditions.