SOLAR OBSERVATORY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 8

SOLAR OBSERVATORY

CCA LAI ON NYEA LTH D 0 IECTOR’S VISIT.

AUCKLAND, December 5

As the result of a desire to further the cause of .science the Federal Government has established a Solar Observatory on a pine-covered hill about 10 miles distant from Canberra, the Federal capital, and the Director, Dr. NY. G. Duffield, an Australian, arrived from Sydney by the Alaunganui. He is on a holiday visit to the Dominion. Dr. Duffield said the Observatory would be ouo of the most up-to-date in the' world, including himself, there was a staff of 10, with vacancies for two more.

“The Observatory is in an ideal position,” lie said. “It is situated 10 miles west of Canberra, and is on top of a bill 2500 feet above, sea level and 700 feet above 'Canberra. Below is a pine forest, which prevents radiation from the earth creating a disturbance in the atmosphere. I am Australian horn and the staff lias been picked from among Australians.” Dr. Duffield said it was not, intended that any material benefit, should he derived from the work done at the Observatory. The primary purpose of the Observatory was to accumulate scientific knowledge for the good of the nation. However, they would lie aide to assist agriculturists by measuring the radiation of the sum and in other ways. The work at the Observatory included the study of the sun and its relation to the earth, the relationship of the sun with the other stars, the examination of the physics of the sun ami the other stars to discover their temperature and atmospheric pressure, and to discover what happens to the atoms.

Dismissing sun pots, Dr. Duffield said they came in great numbers and reached their maximum size every II years. This 11-yearly period was now passing and it was milv natural that a large number of spots, which lie described as a whirl of vapours, should have occurred during the past year or so. Dr. Duffield said there was no doubt sun spots did have smile effect upon the earth, hut il was impossible vet to sav oxact.lv what this effect was.