ht-Watching For All

Igy

residents, especially those iving on islands away from the aain centres, have a chance to icience through the 18-months national Geophysical “Year” d commencing July 1. ispot activity is now at its num in the 11 1 years regular This activity influences te, radio reception, and other ir a 1 phenomena, including al acti v i t y—the so-called tern and Southern Lights. At inspot maximum these displays ikely to be visible in regions nearer the equator than at times. Such sightings, coupled other observations which are cn elsewhere, are of very con .ble interest to science. r person observing such a dis either prior to or during the period is asked to send fullest s to any observatory—such as tpia Observatory, the Carter vatory at Wellington, NZ, or Meteorological Office, Nadi, etailed description of the dis s sought under the following : Time and duration of dis approximate arc of the horizon ed (e.g., extending from SE to SSW); vertical angle of splay (e.g., extending from the n to a third of the way up ; zenith); a general descrip (Under this head would be lation as to whether the lights of the “hanging drapings” flickering or steady, very at or rather dim—the latter e probable—and the colour). ;hort, there is no danger of ing too much well documented lation, including information ither at the time of the dis-

OUSE—I, Operation

"Vanguard"

nary mortals who are unable ust themselves to Twentieth y jargon will find themselves ‘out in the cold” durine the ational Geophysical “Year” is almost upon us (July 1, ecember 31, 1958), for they ? involved in all sorts of non -1 “operations.” •me cases the code-naming is poses of secrecy, but, in so far is concerned it is purely for ence, as these prefects in involve a great deal of tele communications and docu lon. Coming up soon, for ex will be Operation Vanguard, t part of which will be the ing of the earth satellite 1, late this year or early 1958. 2 and others will follow later.

As these “mice” are going to be big news and are likely to be seen by the very sharp eyed in the South Pacific dawn and dusk sky, it will be well to get the name firmly fixed —as editors will be disinclined to write, “Minimum Orbital Unmanned Satellite of the Earth” more often than necessary. Mouse is tidier, and less costly. tl A daughter was born to Raymond John Deland and his wife, Nancy, in Pennsylvania, USA, on May 6.

The child is a grand-daughter to Dr. and Mrs. C. M. Deland, now of Adelaide, but until a few years ago well known residents of New Guinea where Dr. Deland was an Adminis tration Medical Officer.