Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-06
SOLAR RESEARCH
STAT|ONLOCATED
Smithsonian Official Finds
Suitable Site for Observation
in British BaIuchiStan.

Near Quota. in British Beluchistan.
DR.. c. G.. Abbot, assistant secretary OF
the Smithsonian Institution and d.
rector of the Smithsonian astrophysi-
cal observatory, has found the most
suitable site that he has seen thus far
in his search of the eastern hemi-
sphere for a place to locate a new solar
observation station. This new sta
lion. to be erected by the Smithsonian
institution with funds provided by the
National Geogra phic Society, VIII De
1he third under the direction OF the
smithsonian Institution, which make
daily observations OF the variable ra-
diation of the sun, the other two being
located in Chile and California.
This third station will furnish
needed check on the values from the
other two, providing q more depend.
able daily value Of the solar constant.
1t is hoped that accurate long-range
weather forecasting may become pos
sble as a result of this fundamental
work by the Smithsonian Institution.
On Way to Southwest Africa.
DR.. Abbot has visited the Sahara
Desert and India and now is on his
way to southwestern Africa. In a
Or. Charles ID. Walcott, secretary of
Tho Smithsonian Institution, DR.. Abbot
says:
From Delhi we made a two-day
journey through q sandy desert and
up into the barren mountains of
Baluchistan to Quetta. We had ex-
pected to lind Arctic weather in view
of the accounts of many informants,
but Washington Winters are far more
-.
the eve of the first considerable rain
they have had since September. and
III the five days since we came 1t has
rained or showed four. The snow
was only a half-inch or SO. and is
now gone at Quota, but the noun
tains about are all snow covered
now.
II had a letter to Col. Chenowix
Trench, the political agent. He and
Mrs. Trench have been most kind and
helpful. and others to whom they intro
duced me are so also. He has driven me
about TO several possible sites for the
observatory, but we have fixed upon
khojak Pass, over which Lord Rob-
erts army dragged their guns in the
Afghan War The railroad now tun-
nels the pass, and a garrison OF 1000
troops holds Chaman, about 10 miles
beyond. There are detachments at
both ends of the 2-mile tunnel. The
peak is 1925 feet high and overlooks
Afghanistan deserts for a hundred
miles, as well as the great valley to
the east.
safe Place Is Decision.
The highest political officer of
Raluchistan, called the assistant to
the governor general, or A. G. G. for
short, MIR. Johnston, and Col. Trench
agree that this is a safe place. They
prescribe three servants. or 1evys,
TWO to sleep at the observatory on the
peak, and one to cook for the boys at
rented quarters at the east end OF the
tunnel. The two on the peak and
their tribe would be held responsible
to prevent theft or assault there.
col. Trench has had 80 years ex.
perience and has told me a lot OF tales
Of the customs of Baluchistan that
would make an American audience
gasp. ] am treasuring them up to tell
when | return.
cot. Barker and Maj. jackson OF
the Engineer Corps see no obstacle to
constructing the observatory there.
Col. Barker viii go up there with me
as soon as it clears and will give me
an approximate estimate. He Will
stand ready to construct as soon as |
telegraph Go ahead and wire funos.
THE location selected IS Wonder1ully
accessible. The military road runs
over the pass and a graded path nearly
wide enough for autos runs three
quarters OF mile to within few
feet Of the peak. 1t will be possible
10 widen it at small expense, and thus
the observers can live at the eastern
end of the tunnel in some comfort
and ride up to observe in about 20
minutes each morning. In a half hour
tho boys can ride to Chaman and IN
lwo and one-half hours to Quota. A
three day railroad journey will bring
them to the most interesting sights OF
India.
Quota has no grass, but many fruit
trees. The climate is as fine as any
where in the world excepting only
this week. Neither too hot nor too
cold