Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-09-16
THE sun AND THE WEATHER.
How Anybody Can Take Observations for
Himself with the MAGNETIC Needle
Boston Budget

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 APP
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 1880
o'clock in the morning the heavy mag
netic needles were observed by Mr.. Guild
enschuk to swing in 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 sur 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, thu
/ open side being covered with glass, al
] though this is not necessary. A tube of
/ brass or a 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 suspeuding 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
1 the center of tho file The box with the
needle inclosed should be placed where it
is not subject to jarring. If an iron rod
is placed in perpendicular condition to
the right or left of cue 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 electromagnetic.
When the earth currents are strong it at
tracts the pole of the needle strongly,
aud when the current fails release it. The
rod is not necessary, but its
ordinary alta 'tion 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 il.
A small glass mirror, say a half inch in
diameter, may be cemented upon the
center of the fiat needle. SO motion may
be detected by the shifting of the image
Of distant object reflected from the mir
ror to the eye. twill he interesting tC
watch the behavior OF a heavy needle IS
above described before and during an ad
vancing storm. Great disturbance ma!
be seen in the needle for several days be
fore a storm approaches the place of Oh
servation. There will be regular motion
e of the needle at sunrise, at the time thu
D sun crosses the magnetic meeidan. and al
, sunset. Observations will show what ar,
= usual and unusual motions, if proper pre-
cautions are taken. Until the habits o
the needle are observed for some time
= there is danger of false alarms.
q Alexander II. H. Stuart, who was secre
2 tary of the interior in President Fill
a mores cabinet, IS stil in robust healt
and has been summeripg at Greenbrie
d Springs, Va.