102 Nature Vol. 291 14 May 1981 ment of those results by using the relevant research community's own judgements of Arnold at Christie's scientific value, both directly (through con­ An 8-day marine timekeeper which is fidential questionnaires) and indirectly being offered for sale on 3 June at (through publication rates and citation Christie's auction rooms is frequencies). thought to be a prototype for the modern A preliminary version of the radio­ , and it has been astronomy study was read last year at a suggested that the spring detent which it closed session of the Organization for employs could be the earliest ever, pre­ Economic Cooperation and Development, dating the putative "Earnshaw" pattern and was very well received; but the wide cir­ by several years. Made by John Arnold in culation of that paper, particularly in the London around 1775, the design of this Netherlands and West Germany, whose un-numbered chronometer throws light own radio telescopes were also assessed on the many problems which confronted (not all favourably) led to recrimination Arnold in his efforts to construct a from Jodrell Bank, which did not do so timekeeper which would be accurate and well in the study. And now North-Holland, reliable and could also be made in the publisher of Research Policy, in which quantity at a relatively low price. the final paper was to appear, is said to be His chronometer (a term he himself refusing to publish the radioastronomy coined) was designed to keep the same work. rate of going in every position and it Moreover, the originator of the SPRU incorporates a mechanism to compensate study, Sussex physicist Dr Norman for changes in temperature. It has a three­ Dombey, wishes to have no part in such armed uncut brass balance 45.2 mm in publication, and says he disagrees com­ diameter. Regulation is by flat spiral Had the Board of a free pletely with the work, mostly done by , regulated by curb pins choice between the Harrison and Arnold Martin and Irvine, and its conclusions. carried on a bi-metallic compensation timekeepers, the Arnold might well have Dombey, although a high energy physicist, curb, concentric with the balance pivot. been chosen on the grounds that it was will not be a member of the group for its The convex enamelled dial bears the less complicated and consequently study of CERN, and argued with the Social signature "Arnold, London". His easier to produce. Arnold made chron­ Science Research Council that the CERN earliest dials were enamelled, but once ometers for the Admiralty at 60 guineas a work should not be funded. However, commercial production was started, he piece, much cheaper than Harrison's after nearly a year's deliberations, the changed over to silvered dials. The box, which took about 3 years to make. council has given the group a grant for 15 6 Yz inches square and 3 Yz inches deep, is Arnold deserves much of the credit for months' work on CERN and its future introducing into the manufac­ project LEP, but has insisted this time on of mahogany. Arnold first started working on marine ture of chronometers on a large scale. extremely strict rules on confidentiality. timekeepers in 1786, about nine years As for the price likely to be reached Robert Walgate after - the carpenter when the chronometer is auctioned, turned - had submitted his Christie's are not willing to speculate. But Indian government policy No.4 timekeeper to the Board of if the device's history can be authen­ Longitude. This was a body which had ticated it could fetch anything between Committed to science been set up by the British government and £20,000 and £100,000. Arthur Frank New Delhi which in 1714 offered a prize of £20,000 Mr Arthur Frank, the now-retired owner of for a machine which would enable longi­ a Glasgow-based optical business, is a well The poor coordination between Indian known collector of optical and scientific scientists and politicians should improve tude at sea to be determined to a specified instruments. Much of his collection, which following long-awaited decisions an­ degree of accuracy. Harrison richly includes early telescopes, cameras and eye­ nounced by Mrs Gandhi recently. Mrs deserved the prize but the board shilly­ glasses, is now distributed among several shallied for many years, and it was only British museums. Mr Frank will be con­ Gandhi herself is to preside over a nine­ tributing occasional articles when important member Cabinet Committee on Science towards the end of his life that he recieved scientific instruments change hands or come and Technology, dealing with broad policy the final instalment of the award. onto the auction markets. matters, and two more science committees have also been formed. the country's sixth five-year development powering a light beacon at Dwarka port, India's worsening position on the energy plan. Main areas of interest will be in life pumping water for a whole village in front and a massive bill for oil imports have sciences, oceanography, alternative energy Rajasthan and lighting a 20-bed hospital in led to the formation of a six-member sources and bioengineering as applied to Ladhak. Solar water heating systems are Alternative Energy Commission, along the pharmaceuticals. NareshSahajpal being installed in many hotels, and a textile lines of the Atomic Energy Commission, to mill in Ahmedabad is already meeting its be chaired by Professor M. G. K. Menon, • Energy alternatives: The Indian govern­ hot water requirements through a large Secretary of the Department of Science and ment has given fresh impetus to the devel­ solar heater. Technology. The third committee, the opment of new and renewable sources of A 120 million rupee (£7 million) project Science Advisory Committee to the energy. The key point of the plan is reduced has been drawn up for developing low cost Cabinet, consists of 20 eminent Indian dependence on imported oil. The govern­ solar-grade silicon material and cheap fab­ scientists from all the major disciplines. Dr ment is investing in systems for utilization rication techniques and for improving the M.S. Swaminathan heads this body which of energy from the Sun, wind and biomass. efficacy of solar cells and solar panels. is to advise the cabinet on science and tech­ In photovoltaics, the public sector A national wind energy centre is being set nology policy. company, Central Electronics Limited up at Allahabad Polytechnic to develop a The Cabinet Committee on Science and (CEL) of Sahibabad, has begun bench­ low-cost windmill. A cold storage plant Technology will have an important role in scale manufacture of single crystal silicon utilizing geothermal energy is being set up deciding how to spend the science and solar cells and panels with capacities of up in Himachal Pradesh. And a 600 MW tidal technology budget of more than 30,000 to lOkW per year. Solar modules power station is planned in the Gulf of million rupees (£1 ,667 million) allotted in developed by CEL are already being used in Kutch in Gujarat. Zaka Imam

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