The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-01-12
ASTRONOMY AND
OUR WEATHER
Local interpretations of Hicks Annanac-Asronou1y Not
Astrology- when Consider the Heavens"
b. Prof. q. II. Pettie

shall endeavor to briefly explain the
theory upon which our predictions or
long range forecasting are based, as
many are mistaken in believing it is
founded upon astrology, the signs of
the zodiac or old moon superstitions.
This is not true. In fact, strictly
speaking, it is not upon the stars at
all, only that the planets are some
times called stars, and it is upon the
movements of the planets around the
sun, with their constantly changing
position, that we make our predictions,
based upon our experience, in OBJ
sevation of the changes in the wealth
er, that take place in the changing po-
sitions of the planets.
The Sun, the source of our light
and heat, is a great and mighty globe
$4,000 miles in diameter and is the
center of this planetary system of
eight planets including our own earth.
Our sun is only one of millions of
Suns that compose the universe. Al
though it is the centre of this system
of planets whose outer orbits are
nearly six billion miles across, it is
by no means stationary, but is NOV
ing through space, at the inconceivable
speed of IL miles per second, carrying
with it all this system of worlds, and
their accompanying satellites. There
fore, the real paths of the planets are
not circles but long curved lines.
AS the planets move about the Sun,
they arrive at that point, in their or
bits, twice in each revolution, where
the Sun is exactly over their equator
this is the equinox Of that planet. The
equinoxes of the planets, together
with their positions produce an cleo
trical influence on the planetary sys-
tenn, necessarily effecting the Earth.
AS the space in an article of this
kind is limited, I shall not indulge in
any argument but give the conclusions
according to the above outline.
The primary storm cycle is % days.
Every % days there are two regular
storm periods and two solstice, or re-
dictionary storms periods. This iniu-
ence alone rarely brings precipitation
in the semi-arid regions.
Mercury's equinoxes occur every "a
days. This is accompanied by clouds,
fog, mist, sleet and most of the pre-
cipitation in the semi-arid regions
comes under the Mercury.
Venus has an equinox every 112
days. This influence is generally
warm. This and the Mercury COM
bined, especially when the earth in
fuences are on, are strong factors
in producing moisture and storms. We
can look for lightning and hail under
Venus combinations.
Equinoxes of the Earth occur in
March and September, and Solstice
crisises in June and December. Near
the 10th of March and September, ou1
grand parents used to say "about
time for the lime storm"
Mars has an equinox every 1882
days, so it occurs q or % days earli-
er each year. The characteristics OF
this influence is to carry forward the
kind of weather prevailing, at the
time it enters.
Jupilter's equinoxes arrive about
six years apart and generally produce
drouth conditions over considerable oil
the semi-arid regions, but does not
effect all parts or the same parts al
its reoccurrence.
Saturn brings its pests and plaques
about every Is years, and pestilence
and diseases of all kinds that sweeI
the continents about every 80 years.
Uranus and Neptune complete thei
j rounds, once in "a years and 165 years
respectfully at so great a distanc,
from the Sun. Their equinoxes hav'
not been definitely fixed, and arriving
at such lifelong periods would no
give US many times for observation.
AS an introduction to the yearl,
: forecasts which will be given in thi
! article, will say that the prospects 70
1923 look much brighter than I ex
pected. In fact, good. I believe W
5 may have snow quite late and tina
: there will be very good showers i
: May and good, plentiful rains throug
t June and up to July 9Th and POSSIBLE
: ty Of showers the 21st of July.