Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-10
FINDS IMPORTANT AID TO
WEATHER FORECAST|NG
Smithsonian Institution Discovers
Effect on Earth's Temperature by
Variation of Suns Radiation.

An important aid to weather fore
casting has been found by the Smith
sonian institution in the discovery that
the temperature of the earth is ma
teriaily affected by the variation OF the
suns output of radiation. This means
that the daily change in the radiations
from the sun. which become heat when
they reach and penetrate our atmos-
phere, indicates forthcoming changes
IN the temperature of the earth for the
next few days.
BY taking into account. therefore.
the solar changes. observers will soon
be able, 1t is said. to predict with
greater accuracy meteorological or
weather changes.
The theory upon which this new sci
ence is based results from investiga-
lions conducted by the Astrophysical
Observatory of the Smithsonian 1nsti-
tuition during the past fifteen year. I'M
der the supervision OF DR.. Charles O..
Abbot.
Under this new theory the informa-
ton needed for forecasting weather is
secured from measurements of the
suns variation made with the boom-
eter, invented by DR.. Samuel p. Lang
ley, late secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution, taken at observing stations
located in different parts of the world.
After comparing and correcting these
readings registered by the suns rays,
they are referred to standardized tables
and the corresponding changes in the
temperature of the earth's surface cal
culated IN advance Tor dlHeteht 10
cBlities.
In a pamphlet on this subject re-
Gently published by the Smithsonian In
stitut ion. the author. DIR. II. Helm Clay
ton OF the Argentine METEOROLOGICAL
service, states: 1.-TWO important conclu-
sions are derived from this study:
tousl that there is an intimate re-
lation between solar changes and me
and that measurements OF solar radia :
tipn like those made by DIR. Abbot and
/ his associates have the greatest i'm
portance for meteorology; tWoo. that
changes which have their origin in
equatorial regions aud by a transfer
ence OF air. probably in. the, upper
layers. xre felt within few days in
the complement of the complex me-
neurological drift which goes from
west TO east in temperate latitudes
with Il component of motion from pole
Dr. Clayton, who is an eminent me-
teorologist, and was. formerly affiliated
with the Blue Hill meteorological sta :
ton. near Boston, Mass, shows deh-
tween the changes in solar radiation
and terrestrial temperature. and dem
onstrates the practical value of this
fact in weather forecastinS.
New Station in North Carolina.
1t ia interesting to note that, while
the Smithsonian Observatory was forced
to foreKo the installation of an observ-
ing station in Chile this year. a new
station has been esta blished on Hump
mountain, two miles from the town OF
Elk Park, n. c., at an altitude of about
4, 500 feet.
Dr. Abbot, who has just returned
from Hump mountain. reports that the
main and auxiliary buildings are ready
and that she equipment is nearly all
hauled up to the station. With the as
sistance OF A. E. Moore of Los Angeles,
who is to be the local director. DR.. Alb
bot unpacked and set up most OF the
observing apparatus, all of which he
expects will be ready for use in few
days
Assisting Mr.. Moore is Leonard II.
Abbot OF Worcester Mass. and asso-
ciated with Mr.. Moore for some weeks
will be l.. b. Aldrich of the Astro-
physical Observatory, who left Wash
ington recently for North Carolina TO
represent DIR. Abbot. The expedition
is expected to continue at Hump noun
tain for year. or longer il conditions
warrant. Its purpose is to observe va
riatjons of the suns output of radia
ton, such as have been discovered by
the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observ-
atory and recorded heretofore at its
station located OH Mount Wilson, in
California. Great hope is felt at the
Washington Observatory that the co
operative measurements of the new
Smithsonian station in North Carolina
and the station on Mount Wilson Will
promote to a great extent the knoWl-
edge of weather forecastng.