Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-26
TEDDY ROOSEVELT IN STEPS
oFDAD, NOMINEE 0ENEW YORK
J REPUBLICANSFOR GOVERNOR
May Explain Why
Magnetic Needle
Is Always. North

Wiscasset. Maine. Sept. Is (By 4.
P))-Observations made in the VI
cinity of the Magnetic Pole by Rich
ard II. Goddard of Winthrop. Mass,
who was a member of the Macmillan
Arctic expedition. may reveal some
of the underlying causes for the mys-
FERROUS currents that keep the conf
pass needle pointed north.
While there is still some doubt as
to their exact value, pending more
thorough analysis, DIR. j. A. Fleming.
assistant director. of the Department
of Terrestrial Magnetism at Carnegie
Institute, predicted today that event.
ually such Investigations would con-
tribute TO the work Of correcting the
charts used by mariners.
During eight months OF the period
that the expedition was frozen in the
ice at Refuge Harbor. North Green-
land, DR.. Fleming explained. a con-
tinuous record OF the movements of
compass needle was made on sheets
of sensitized Photographic paper. 4
The instrument used for making
the observations was set up In q
specially constructed hut about 900
yards ffOm the schooner Bowdoina
and between 500 and 600 miles north
of the Magnetic Pole. The apparatus
operated automatically, except for in !
tervals of ten minutes every "a hours
when the recording paper was re-
pleniShed.
In such close proximity to tho,
source of the mysterious currents.
which keep navigator5 the world
over on their course. the slightest
disturbance. whether it is caused oy
the variation of the current itself or
an electrical storm, has n pronounced
effect upon the fluctuations of the
needle. Changes that make a differ
ence of only one degree at the equa-
tor. there show a distinct variation of
between 10 and 20 degrees.
A summary of the work accom-
plished on the expedition was given
by DR.. Fleming in the following
statement:
Goddard first established mag
netic and electric observatory at
Refuge Harbor in which continuous
Photographic records were made of
the variations in the magnetic con-
dition of the earth. and variations in
the electrical pressure of the atmos-
phere.
"These results will supply mater
ial and data in connection with those
obtained at similar observations at
lower attitudes for the investigation
of the causes of the earth's magnet
ism, the identification of the atmos-
phere and of the laws governing
them
I'm addition to observatory work.
he obtained magnetic observations at
stations in Greenland and Labrador,
where such observations had previ-
ously been made. to determine the
changes that take place over the
years. particularly in the declination
of the compass. the last being re-
quired for the correction of the mar
iners' charts"
In order to obtain wide range of
the effect of these currents. Mr.. God
dard stated that other points of OBJ
servation had been used by him. in
Guiding sydney. n. s.; Cape Sabine,
Ellesmere Land: four in Labrador,
Red Bay, Battle Harbor, Gready and
Hopedale; and six in Greenland,
Godthaab. Etah. keate. Akpani,
Codhaven and Hofstensoorg.
The observatory ut winter quarters
was believed both by DIR. Fleming and
Mr.. Goddard to be the most norther-
ly continuous recording magnetic OBJ
servatOry ever established. Magnetic
disturbances are particularly pres
ent at intervals OF IL years, DR..
Fleming declare, and complete
magnetic survey of the earth's mag
netism required a total of 80 years
research.