SUNSPOTS AND AURORAE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2311, 4 August 1921, Page 1

SUNSPOTS AND AURORAE.

The brilliant auroral display and the magnetic storm that occurred in both North and South latitudes last May have revived discussion in England regarding the association of the two classes of phenomena. Attention hits turned particularly to the question why large sunspots often appear without producing any terrestial effects, and magnetic storms sometimes occur in the absence of sunspots. Perhaps the theory which is most popular at present is that known as the “hosepipe.” This theory postulates the ejection of conlined streams of electric corpuscles from disturbed regions of the sun with a speed approaching that of light. The suggestion is that this stream meets tho earth and ionises the outer layers of the earth’s atmosphere, or, in other words, converts it into a gaseous conductor of electricity. When this electrical condition is marked, it is accompanied by auroral lights and other luminous displays in the

sky. Among the scientists who approve of this projection theory of sunspots is Sir Oliver Lodge. He 'iiggcsts that the eruption is due I" atomic disintegration at a critical temperature, which he provisionally to lie 7,500 deg. centigrade. If litis temperature is logically obtained fn any region something violent ought to happen, tor electrons would be shot off in masses, and it large number of hydrogen atoms would break up. This is what Sir Oliver reckons ought to happen, but, as he says, bis theory and calculations will have to run the gauntlet - of scientific criticism. Sir Oliver Lodge says that the exigence of a whirling tornado of electrons in a. 'Uii'pot was proved spectroscopically by Prolessor llale, of "Mount Wilson, California, and was a * particularly brilliant piece of scientific work.