ASTRONOMICAL NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 46, 24 February 1939, Page 5

ASTRONOMICAL NOTES

MORE ABOUT SUNSPOTS MONTH OF FEBRUARY (By “Crux Australis.” SUNSPOTS. In these notes I intend to conclude the series on sunspots, for the lime being at least. I propose now to set forth various coincidences which appear to be governed by the storms which rage on "Old Sol.” We all know that trees make more growth some years than others and it is not hard to convince the majority ol people that the condition of the sun is responsible for major and minor growth. Now if our luminary can be answerable for this it is quite reasonable to believe that he can be responsible for the happenings which take place at sunspot maxima. Statistics have been carefully kept over a period of years of harvests, trade, inuustry, weather and growth of trees with the result that much interesting data has been collected.

Let us first consider harvest. In the season of 1928-29 record crops of grapes were grown with the result that vintages reached high levels. Now we find that a sunspot maxima was reached in 1928, but from then on until 1933 we find sunspots on the wane. The lowest vintage was reached in 1931, but between the years 1930, 1931 and 1932 little difference is noticeable. However, in 1933 values again begin to rise, but for all that the two appear to have some bond.

Trapping statistics show a marked decline in the number of the furbearing pelts taken at sunspot maxima. It may be that man is more energetic during a minima than a maxima. This would account for a failing-off in skins, as trapping is a work wnich calls for much physical energy.

Those who listen on short wave well know that conditions are sc bad at times as to make listening impossible. Perhaps they wonder at times why? Once again we can blame “Old Sol.” It may not be generally known that radio engineers have been caused many headaches through trying to solve interference caused on certain frequences.

Trade and industry have been identical with sunspot cycles. During years of maxima factories have been working at full pressure, building nas reached record figures and the automobile industry has reached maximum production in sympathy with Old Sol’s major activities. During years of minima trade and industry have shrunk to insignificance. Now let us consider economic crises. At first sight we are inclined to think maxima and depression go hand in hand. Four out of the five, last major depressions have followed

in the wake of sunspot maxima. I the five had coincided with th' minima we could definitely say yes and, more than that, fortell the ad vent of depressions. In the above have endeavoured to give a rougi sketch of what statistics reveal. Per haps at some future date I may col lect more data on sunspots. The Heavens in February. The evening sky at the presen time is probably more beautiful tha; at any other time of the year. Awa. to the north-east is Tauris the “Bull preceded by the apparently restles Pleiades. Keen unaided vision can de tect 14 of 15 faint stars but with opli cal aids 2000 are revealed. Stil farther north and partly hidden be low the northern horizon is Aurigs the “Charioter.” Gemini is now wel up with the stars Casto and Polio? shining brightly. Leo is beginning t< show, ruddy Regulus being the firs major star of the group to appeal above the north-eastern horizon. Almost due east arc three constel lations almost devoid of bright sta!> First is Hydra the “Water-snake, with the red star Alphard “the Soli tary One.” Lower down is Crater anc Corvus while close to the horizon i; Virgo.

The zenith is exquisite, being tilled ■with Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor and Argo, while lower down in th< south-east ar? the groups Centauru: and Crux. It will be noticed that lh ( portion of the Milky Way not visible in the winter months now stretcher from the north-west right, across the sky to the south-east.

Perhaps Orion is the most interesting on account of the Great Nebulae. The group is quite conspicuous, being composed of all the stars known unastronomically as “The Pot,” and a few more bright ones which do not help to make up the culinary like article shape. Chief of these is Rigei —a fine blue double—and Betelgeux, which is a dull red. He is one of the mighty suns, being about 250 million miles in diameter. Let us now turn the telescope on the brightest star in the sky, namely Sirius. We are surprised to see that he is not white but bluish. He has a small companion which is very dense. A tobacco pouch full of matter from him is estimated to weigh one ton. Unfortunately the local instrument does not show him. Only the largest telescope in the world reveals this dense denizen of space. If we look north-east from Sirius we notice another first magnitude star, Procyon, or literally “In front

of the Dog.” This was so named because it rises before “The Major Dog” in northern latitudes. Almost directly overhead, past culmination and slightly south, is sparkling Canopus. He is the second brightest star in the sky. His only rival is Sirius. But considering that he is at least 600 light years distant and i Sirius is only about eight he must be j grander in every way. 1 The Magellanic Clouds are not at ( their best for observation but still they are within reach of the telescope.

The fine Glolular Cluster 47 Toucanae is well worth seeing, this being situated in the Lesser Celoud. Achernar is now getting low in the south-west. If one allows the eyes to wander from Achernar in a zig-zag course towards Rigei it will be noticed that the eyes follow a chain of taint stars. This is known as Orion’s River.

Phenomena for 1939 February. The Moon. Full Moon 4th day. Last Quarter 11th day. New Moon 19th day. First Quarter 27th day. The evening sky has little to offer in the way of major planets’ at pitsent. Jupiter is out of it altogether, being too close to the sun for observation in the evening. Saturn is fast drawing in although he is still within reach. A look at him through the telescope is a sight never to be forgotten.

Venus is a conspicuous object in the morning sky, rising about 2.45 a.m. She is easily seen in the day sky at the present. Mars is travelling slowly, being on the borders of Scorpio. Opposition will be reached during the winter months.