Morning journal and courier., 1886-09-10
THE SUN AND THE WEATHER.
How Anybody Can Take Observations Themselves With the Magnetic Nee-
rom the Rochester Democrat. l

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 dle.
 \ From the Rochester Democrat Two sun spots of considerable size have developed in one of the regions of fracular disturbance first observed last Sunday and described Thursday morning. The region has been the seat of great activity from the time of it's appearance. Sunday night there was destructive storm on the Newfound- land coast and the gale continued up to and including Tuesday. On the evening of that day tornado swept over 8 portion of San Antonio, Texas. On Monday there was a rapid fall of barometer in Dakota and Mon tana. On Tuesday the earth currents were very powerful, and at II 80 o'clock in the morning the heavy magnetic needles were observed by MT. Guldenschuk to swing in a remarkable manner. They have shown unu- sual excitement since that time. Thursday at noon they were greatly excited. The north poles swung to the west, were held for moment and released only to repeat the motion.
 The formation of the spots on the sun full ly indicates the source of this magnetic ex- citemeEt and explains the heat and falling barometer in the west. The magnetic nee dle is quite as sure an indicator of the con- ditlon of the sun as storms telescopic ob- servations. There should be observers throughout the country. They will appear
 
 ing study they ever entered upon. We would advise all to provide themselves with a large magnetic needle. If observers do not care to obtain anything elaborate, all old file that is not too heavy, say fourteen inch es long, may be employed. The cutting DOT tion may be ground off if it can be done conveniently. The pointed end for attach ing 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 a box turned on it's side, the open side being covered with glass, all though this is not necessary. A tube of brass or long wooden box, say twelve fourteen inches long, can be fastened on the top of the box over the center of motion of the needle, and through this the thread for suspending or balancing the needle should run. Loosely twisted silk is best, as there is little torsion. The string is made quite long to avoid torsion. The point of suspension should nearly correspond with the middle of the file. The box with the needle enclosed should be placed where it is not subject to jarring. If iron rod is placed in per pendicular position, to the right or left of one of the poles of the needle, the needle may respond more readily to the earth cur rents, and becomes an electro magnet When the earth currents are strong it attracts the pole of the needle strongly, and when the curren6 fails releases it. The rod is not necessary, but its ordinary attraction is a constant force, so only the changes in the earth currents change its attraction. Iron in the vicinity of the needle should not be disturbed and iron articles should not be carried near it. A small glass mirror, say half inch ill diameter, may be eemented upon the center of the fiat needle, so motion may be detected by the shifting of the image of a distant object reflected from the mirror to the eye. It will be interesting to watch the behavior Of a heavy needle as above de- scribed before and during an advancing storm. Great disturbance may be seen in the needle for several days before storm approaches the place of observation There will be regular motions of the needle at sun rise, at the time the sun crosses the magnetic meridian and at sunset. Observations will show what are usual and unusual motions if proper precautions are taken. Until the ''habits' of the needle are observed for some time there is danger of false alarms.