Evening star., 1936-04-27

tCOnClnueQ from f1fSJ Pdee.1
still opposite to each other. They
are different for each month and for
each place. The greater the radia-
tion changes the grea.er the tenn
perature changes.
DR.. Abbot has determined these
patterns, he told the National Acad-
emy today. for each month of the
year for Washington, st. Louis and
Helena. Superficially, at least, there
is general similarity in the monthly
patterns for the different places.
Effect on Temperature.
When the suns heat increases, Dr.
Abbot emphasized, there is not neces-
sarily a parallel increase in tempera-
ture. The latter may decrease or in
crease, depending on the place and
the month.
Generally, however, an increase in
solar radiation actually does bring
warmer weather at some time during
the 17-day period covered by his CAL
culationS, Dr. Abbot says. In some
places, the effect is immediate. Such
places are so-called "centers of ac-
ton" Helena appears to be compare
lively near one of them. Washington
is several days behind. ST. Louis is
intermediate between the two. The
time lag is rather specific for all sea-
sons. although the trend may be op-
posite.
Dr. Abbot stressed that his discovery
Is not of immediate practical value in
broadcasting. It will first be neces-
sary to work out the specific patterns
for every part of the United States,
just as he has done for three cities.
New York or Miami might have quite
different patterns. and one cannot be
deduced from another.
Difficulties Faced.
The second difficulty is in obtaining
accurate daily measurements Of the
actual solar radiation. The Smith
sonian Institution now operates three
observing stations under DR.. Abbot S
direction-on Mount Montezuma,
Chile; Mount st. Katharine on the
Sinai Peninsula, and Table Mountain,
Calf In order TO obtain reliable
measurement any particular day it
Is essential that observing conditions
be excellent at one or more Of these
stations. For reliable service. DR.. Alb
bot said, it would be necessary to
have at least 10 such stations scattered
over the high mountain tops of the
l. % N1h lerh 1yN@
maintain 10 such stations now were
available, he said, it would be posi-
BILE to begin to test this method of
forecasting by 1910.
Actual transmutation of one heavy
element into another-the ancient
dream of the alchemists in a measure
come true-was reported by Drs. E.
o. Lawrence and J. M. Cork Of the
University of California.
They bombarded platinum atoms
with atoms of deuteron, or heavy
hydrogen. propelled on the target
with a force Of 100000 volts. The
heavy hydrogen atoms struck the
nuclei of the platinum atoms. bring
ing about curious changes. Chemical
analysis after the bombardment was
completed showed two substances
one a radioactive isotope of platinum
and one a radioactive form Of the
rare element iridium-at present much
more costly than gold.
Atomic Weight Of Platinum.
The normal platinum atom has a
nucleus composed of IS protons and
78 electrors, with an outer shell Of
rs other electrons. It has an atomic
weight of 1876, or 1876 times the weight
Of an atom Of ordinary hydrogen.
The normal iridium atom has II pro-
tons and n outer and inner electrons,
respectively. and an atomic weight
Of 1893. The deuterion atom consists
Of two protons and two electrons.
In some cases, according to. the
report presented by DR.. Lawrence.
the deuteron was captured by the
platinum nucleus and remained q
part Of it, like bullet sticking in
tree at which it has been fired. But
at the same time it knocks off a
splinter-in this case an alpha particle
consisting of four protons and two
electrons.
The result was an atom with two