Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-24
SUMS GREENFLASH'
ST|RS BYRD PARTY.
Debated Phenomenon of Sun
set Resembles Flare Hung
in Antarctic Sky.
BY RUSSELL OWEN.

BY Radio to The Star and the New York
Times.
LITTLE AMERICA, Antarctica, Oc-
tober 22.-The green FASH" that phe-
nomenon of the sunset which OCCASION
ally causes debate among scientific men,
: has been seen here recently. 1t was
80 prolonged that instead of flash 1t
resembled a green flare hung in the
sky where the sun had just set.
The green flash is usually seen at
sea in the tropics, where the sun drops
suddenly below the horizon and van
ishes so quickly that it is literally a
fash.
It comes from the last starlike point
Of light from the sun as it goes down,
q point which changes rapidly in color.
OF the hues the green Is exceptionally
vivid, giving the phenomenon its name.
Red Rays Bend Least.
Atmospheric refraction causes the
light to disappear in the order OF its
refrangibility, or bending quality. The
red rays bend the least and SO disap,
pear first; then follow the green and
finally the blue.
Here the sun descends so slowly that
It seems to roll along the horizon and
as it will be only two days until 1t Is
above the horizon all the time for the
rest of the Summer, 1t clingS intermin-
ably with seeming reluctance before
dropping from sight.
AS its downward movement is so pro-
longed, the last rays simmer above the
barrier edge as it moves eastward, ap-
pearing and reappearing from behind
the irregularities of the barrier surface.
It trembles and pulsates, producing a
vibrating light of great beauty.
The night the green flash was seen
some one ran into the administration
building and called:
Come out and see the green SUM-"
There was a rush for the surface and
as eyes turned southwark they saw
tiny but brilliant green spot where the
last ray Of the upper limb OF the sun
hung on the sky line.
1t lasted an appreciate length OF
time, several seconds at least, and no
sooner disappeared than it flashed forth
again. Altogether 1t remained on the
horizon, with short interruptions, for
IS minutes.
"Chase" Green Flash.
When it disappeared momentarily it
seemed to have been shut of by a tiny
spur, an inequality in the sky line
caused by the barrier surface.
Even as one moved his head up and
down a few inches it would disappear
and reappear and, after it had finally
disappeared from view, it could be re-
captured by climbing up the first few
steps of the annemometer post.
Curiously enough, at one time there
seemed to be a brilliant red flash or
spot of light a short distance from
the green, at just about the distance
one would suppose the arc OF the
upper limb of the sun would extend
below the horizon.
Men on Trail Wallow in Snow.
Colder weather and a blizzard
slowed up the supporting party yes
terday. A bitter wind came out
Of the southeast and the temperature
dropped sharply from near zero to
18 below, cruSting the surface so the
sledges broke through and made
pulling again difficult
When the party got out of their
tents in the morning the sledges and
dogs were half drifted over with snow
and it was all the dogs and men to-
gether could do to get the loads started
again.
It cleared In the afternoon and, as
there were signs of creyasses, the sleds
and men were roped together.
Gain Speed in Making Camp.
When they stopped at night the driv-
ers picketed their dogs between the
sledges and attached to light steel
cable with loops into which chains may
be snapped.
Greater speed is being made in max
ing camp. It takes only short time to
picket the dogs and then Arthur Wal
den puts up the cook tent and starts the
primus stove while Joe De Ganahl is
erecting the radio masts so he can COM
municate with the base.
Chris Braethen and Jacob Bursey
cook supper and by the time it is ready
the evening tasks are finished and there
is a rush for "hooch" (pemmican
stew.
Then the four men crawl into their
sleeping bags and chat while they smoke
o cigarette and, after writing in their
diaries go to sleep, tired out by the
days hauling with their dogs.
(Copyright, 1929
~ the New York Times Company and The
ct. Louis Post-Dispatch. All rights for
publication reserved through
out the world.