751 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



These points have previously been investigated to only a slight 

 extent. The observers of signals daring the solar eclipse of 17th 

 April, 1912, nearly all agreed that the strength of the signals was 

 greater during the eclipse than an hour before or after. There 

 was only one special observation of strays during the same eclipse, 

 when very pronounced and remarkable variations were recorded 

 during the passage of the shadow-cone across Europe. 



To investigate the propagation of signals across the umbra it 

 will be necessary to arrange for wireless telegraph stations on 

 either side of the central line of the eclipse to transmit signals at 

 intervals while the umbra passes between them. This transit of 

 the umbra occupies about two minutes. It is thus very desirable 

 that the Scandinavian and Kussian stations should transmit 

 frequently throughout several minutes before, during, and after 

 totality. But stations other than those favoured by their prox- 

 imity to the central line should endeavour to keep a complete record 

 of the variations of signals during the eclipse. Stations in Europe 

 west of the central line and stations in the Mediterranean and in 

 Asia Minor may find noticeable changes in the strength of signals, 

 particularly long distance signals, between the hours of 10 a. m, 

 and 3 p. in., Greenwich time ; and it is probable that the stations 

 of India and East Africa, and ships in the Indian Ocean, may feel 

 the effect of the penumbra in the afternoon. On the other hand, 

 ships in the Atlantic, and fixed stations in Eastern Canada and the 

 United States, will probably be affected by the penumbra in the 

 early morning. At Montreal the eclipse (partial) is at its greatest 

 phase at 5.52 a. m. Standard Time. It is possible that the eclipse 

 may have some influence even when it is invisible. 



The investigation of strays is of as great interest as that of 

 signals. So far as is yet known, the natural electric waves reaching 

 wireless telegraph stations in latitudes higher than 50° appear to 

 travel mostly from the south. Thus the greatest changes produced 

 in strays by the eclipse will probably be experienced at stations in 

 Scandinavia and Eussia, to reach which the waves must cross the 

 path of the umbra. At the same time changes of some kind are to 

 be expected in other districts than these and it is therefore desirable 

 that statistical observations of natural electric waves be made all over 

 the world, and especially at places within an earth quadrant of 

 Southern liussia. It is also desirable that meteorological obser- 

 vations, including those of atmospheric ionization and potential 

 gradient, should be at the disposal of the Committee when 

 considering the records of strays and signals. 



The Committee propose to prepare and circulate special Forms 

 for the collection of statistics of siguals and strays, especially within 

 the hemisphere likely to be affected by the eclipse ; they will en- 

 deavour to make provision for the transmission of special signals at 

 times to be indicated on the Eorins ; and they will offer for the con- 

 sideration of the authorities controlling. stations near the central 

 line a simple programme of work. The discussion of the observations, 

 and the comparision with meteorological data, will be carried out by 

 the Committee ; and digests of the statistics, together with the 



