ASTROLOGERS WILL ACQUIRE SPECIAL RADIO APPARATUS

A specially constructed radio receiving apparatus will be installed within the next month at the University Astronomical Laboratory for the purpose of measuring the amount of influence that sunspots have on the intensity of radio reception, it was announced recently by Professor H.T. Stetson.

The machine invented by Dr. G. W. Pickard, electrical engineer, has been operating in his private laboratories, but is being transferred to the Astronomical Laboratory because of the more advantageous location and the recent study that is being made there of the sun-spot cycle, a phenomenon which is expected to reach its peak in size and number this month.

The apparatus is the result of a careful study of the signal strength of radio reception in connection with sun-spot observations. The study revealed that there was a definite correlation between the appearance of spots on the sun's surface and the conditions of radio reception. The new machine, by means of a device that is similar to a weather graph, can measure the amount of change that takes place in the signal strength of radios during the sun-spot cycle.

The explanation of the sun-spot influence, Professor Stetson states, is that a sun-spot is nothing less than a gigantic solar cyclone, of the same nature as those which occur in the United States, but characterized by terrific electrical charges. These bodies are set in rotation during a storm, forming a veritable dynamo. The powerful magnetic field thus developed extends out into space and often disturbs radio, cable, and telegraph lines of the earth. Within recent years it has become possible to actually measure the field strength of these solar storms by means of a careful analysis of the spectrum of the sun spots.

In addition to recording the variations effected in radio reception during a sun-spot cycle, the new apparatus will assist the Laboratory in keeping a record of the sun-spot observations. And in connection with both studies, a specially designed photographic apparatus constructed at the Laboratory will be used to locate the position and size of the spots.

The staff, Professor Stetson states, will continue to furnish records of this type to the Mount Wilson, Yerkes, and Naval Observatories.