58 POLAR PROBLEMS 



The Section deems it highly desirable to call attention to the need of addi- 

 tional magnetic and electric observations in high latitudes, especially north of 

 60° N. and south of 50° S. 



The Section recommends the desirability of obtaining magnetic data from high 

 latitudes in years near sunspot maximum to supplement those near sunspot mini- 

 mum already obtained to some extent by certain Antarctic expeditions and that 

 this matter be brought to the attention of future expeditions. 



Likewise the Commission on Solar and Terrestrial Relationships 

 of the International Research Council, at its Brussels meeting of 

 July, 1925, made a number of suggestions and recommendations^^ 

 pertaining to important work in terrestrial magnetism, atmospheric 

 electricity, polar lights, and radiotelegraphy which might be ad- 

 vantageously undertaken in high latitudes, both north and south. 

 For example the Commission makes the following statement: 



By means of special expeditions to carry out simultaneous temporary pro- 

 grammes at selected polar stations, as in 1 882-1 883, the work of the permanent 

 observatories in high magnetic latitudes would be valuably supplemented. 



Within the past three years there have been established the 

 following additional magnetic observatories in high northerly lati- 

 tudes: Matochkin Shar (Novaya Zemlya), by the Russian Govern- 

 ment; Godhavn (Greenland), by the Danish Government; and 

 Lerwick (Shetland Islands), by the British Government. There is 

 also in contemplation the establishment of a magnetic observatory in 

 eastern Siberia. Furthermore, the Canadian observatory at Meanook 

 (54° 37' N., 113° 20' W.) near Athabaska Landing, the nearest one to 

 the north magnetic pole, is being equipped at present with the re- 

 quired instruments for recording the variations of the horizontal and 

 vertical intensity, instead of as heretofore only those of magnetic 

 declination. 



The most southerly magnetic observatory in the southern hemi- 

 sphere is that maintained by the Argentine Government at the South 

 Orkneys (60° 43' S., 44° 47' W.). , 



Magnetic Storms, Polar Lights, and Electric 

 Disturbances 



These subjects have aroused renewed interest during the present 

 period of increased solar activity, as indicated, for example, by in- 

 creasing sunspottedness. During 1926 we have had notable magnetic 

 storms, brilliant displays of polar lights, interruption of telegraphic 

 transmission owing to induced electric currents flowing within the 

 earth's crust, and even interference in radio transmission for certain 

 wave lengths caused by the entrance in the upper atmosphere of 

 ionizing agencies affecting the so-called Kennelly-Heaviside conduct- 



16 First Report of the Commission [of the International Research Council] Appointed to Further 

 the Study of Solar and Terrestrial Relationships, Paris, 1926 (in English and French). 



