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MAGNETIC STORM.

TELEGRAPH LINES INTERFERED WITH.

EARTH RETURNS FAIL

In connection with the brilliant display of the Aurora Australis, Mr. E. A. Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, reported that the telegraph services of the Dominion had been greatly interfered with by a phenomenal magnetic storm, of which, of course, the Aurora Australis is the outward and visible evidence. The great magnetic -forces that were passing continually between the north and south magnetic poles had become violently intensified since about 6 p.m. on Saturday, and had the sky been clear on Saturday evening there was, in his opinion, little doubt that there would have been a display of colors similar to that of Sunday evening. One of the first effects of the storm was the nullifying of the earth as a “return” where lines ran north Aid south. The earth is generally used for a return for the telegraph cables, and when the earth fails, as it did on Saturday night, and throughout Sunday and Sunday night, a metallic return has to be substituted by connecting up with another cable. Such a connection vas made to meet the extraordinary eondi tiona prevailing on this occasion. Great difficulty, too, had been experienced on the east and west lines—between Blenheim and Nelson, and Christchurch and Greymouth, owing to the reduction of the sensibility of the earth as a return.

The potential difference between Palmerston North and Wellington, when measured by instruments, was found to be 60 volts—that was to say, it was as though another 'dO-volt battery had been applied to the wire at Palmerston North. The difference of potential between Blenheim and Nelson was well over 60 volts, and at one stage almost reached no volts—a very remarkable phenomenon indeed. Mr. Shrimpton pictured what an immeasurable amount of electricity must be passing through the ether, when ns much as 60 volts could be measured in the short distance between Palmerston North and Wellington, t«* the force stretched from pole to pole* WIRELESS 1 HBCKNTRIGrriES. As the result of this magnetic np"he&vftl the wireless station-. Mire rendered of little use in east west

communication. Messages could be sent out from the Tinakori Hill station to the Chatiiams, but not a buzz could be heard in return. The same thing applied to messages sent to the Tainui, outward bound to London via the Panama Canal. Yet whilst Wellington could get no reply, the Awanui ’station, being a good deal to the northward, was able t pick up replies and send them on to Wellington, and all the time Awanui could work well with Suva (Fiji), which was almost due mjrth. This indicated how very strong the forces were that were passing between the magnetic poles. There was little doubt that the magnetic storm would be widely felt, and it would be interesting to hear of its effects in other parts of the world.

IS THE SUN AN INFLUENCE?

Writing on the recent activity observable in the sun, Mr. Clement Wragge, of Auckland, stated on Friday last: —“Excellent observations were taken to-day of the. new and great disturbances in the sun, which is quite abnormal, seeing that the period of solar minimum has already been entered. It contains two gigantic nuclei of energy, each about 65,000 miles in diameter, and between them are innumerable smaller ‘spots,’ indicating that the solar atmosphere in the vicinity is greatly perturb, ed. The whole disturbed area from end to end is about 200,000 miles long. That it will affect the earth in some way when it becomes central there is no doubt whatever, and displays of aurorae are sure to be observed in high latitudes north and south. Other manifestations may also take place, but nothing of a serious nature is anticipated.”

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19210519.2.86

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 8

Word count
Tapeke kupu
622

MAGNETIC STORM. Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 8

MAGNETIC STORM. Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 8

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