Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-09-16
THE sun AND THE WEATHER.
How Anybody Can Take Observations FOL
Himself With the MAGNETIC Needle.
Boston Budget.

bOeLOu DuuSSG
Two sun spots of considerable size
have developed in one of the regions of
facular disturbance first observed last
Sunday and described Thursday morn
ing: The region has been the seat of
great activity from the time of its ap-
pearance. Sunday night there was des-
tructive storm on the Newfoundland
| coast, and the gale continued up to and
including Tuesday. On the evening of
that day a tornado swept over San An
tonic, Tex. On Monday there was
rapid fall of barometer in Dakota and
Montana. On Tuesday the earth cur
rents were very powerful, and at 11:3O
o'clock in the morning the heavy mag
netic needles were observed by Mr.. Guild
enschuk to swing in a remarkable man
ner.The north poles swung to the west
were held for a moment, and released to
repeat the motion.
The formation of the spots on the sun
fully indicate the source of this magnetic
excitement and explains the heat and
falling barometer in the west. The mag
netic needle is quite as sure an Indicator
of the condition of the sun as storms or
telescope observations. There should be
observers throughout the country. They
will appear in time. They will find it the
most interesting study they ever entered
upon. We would advise all to provide
themselves with large magnetic needle.
If observers do not care to obtain any,
thing elaborate, an old file that is not too
heavy, say fourteen inches long, may be
employed. The cutting portion may be
crowned off if it can be done convenient
ly. The pointed end for attaching to the
handle can be broken off up to the point
where the cutting portion begins. This
file should be thoroughly magnetized and
suspended in box turned on its side, tina
open side being covered with a glass, al
though this is not necessary. tube of
brass or long wooden box, say twelve or
fourteen inches in length, can be fastened
on the top of the box over the center of
the needle, and through this the thread
for suspending or balancing needle should
run. Loosely twisted silk is the best as
there is but little torsiOn. The point of
suspension should nearly correspond with
the center of the file. The box with the
needle inclosed should be placed where it
is not subject to Earring. If an iron rod
is placed in perpendicular condition to
the right or left of one of the poles of
the needle may respond more readily to
the earth currens. The rod of soft iron
has polarity acted upon by the earth cur
rents, and becomes an electro-magnet.
When the earth currents are strong it at
tracts the pole of the needle strongly.
and when the current fails release it. The
rod is not necessary, but its
ordinary attraction is a constant force.
only the changes in the earth currents
can change its attraction. Iron in the vi
cinity of the needle should not be dis
turbed, and iron articles should not be
carried near it.
A small glass mirror, say half inch in
diameter, may be cemented upon the
center of the flat needle, so motion NAV
be detected by the shifting of the image
of distant object reflected from the mir
ror &c the eye. It will be interesting to
watch the behavior of heavy needle as
above described before and during an adj
vancing storm. Great disturbance NAV
be seen in the needle for several DAYS be-
fore storm approaches the place of OBJ
servation. There will be regular motion
of the needle at sunrise, at the time the
sun crosses the magnetic meeidan, and at
sunset. Observations will show what are
usual and unusual motions, if proper pre-
cautions are taken. Until the habits of
the needle are observed for some time,
there is danger of false alarms.
Alexander H. II. Stuart, who was secre-