Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Monday 20 August WELCOME TO THE FIFTEENTH New Schmidt telescope

One of the world's largest astro- mapping the sky to search for unusual GENERAL ASSEMBLY nomical cameras was opened at Siding objec ts and fo r exploring the distribu- Spring Observatory, New South Wale s, tion of galaxies of stars in distant parts Today and tomorrow over 800 Australia in being selected as the first In addition, members of the Local on Friday August 17, by Professor of the universe. astronomers from 46 countries will country in the southern hemisphere Organizing Committee and the IAU Bengt Strömgren, President of the The UK's telescope is located on a gather in Sydney for this, the Fifteenth to hold an IAU General Assembly. Executive Committee, with a veritable International Astronomical Union. site at Siding Spring Observatory pro- General Assembly of the International army of local helpers, are available to The United Kingdom's 48-inch vided by the Australian National Uni- Astronomical Union. T he information kit issued to you provide you with any advice and assist- Schmidt telescope, together with the versity which h as acted as the Council's Your hosts, the Australian Academy on registration contains a number of ance you may need. building dome and ancillary instru- agents for the building and site works. of Science and Australian astronomers items to help you find your way around So, if y ou need anything at all, look ments, was built for the UK's Science The telescope has been designed and throughout the country, welcome you. and to make your stay here as enjoy- for the people wearing red or orange Research Council at an estimated final manufactured for the SRC by Sir We are very conscious of the honour to able as possible. name badges; you will find them only cost of £930,000 sterling (1 .7 million Howard Grubb Parsons and Co. Ltd. too willing to help. dollars Australian) . The officer in It resembles the 48-inch Schmidt Australia is still an isolated country charge is Dr V. C. Reddish . instrument of the Hale observatories at in many ways and it has been said that Initially the telescope will be used Palomar, the drawings of which were we are not yet ready in some respects, to undertake a detailed survey of the generously made available to the Coun to receive overseas visitors in the way southern sky extending from 20 degrees cil. The rotating dome to house the they are accustomed. Maybe this is south of the equator to the southern telescope was supplied and erected by true, but we would like to show that pole. Subsequently the telescope will the Boller and Chivens Division of the The telescope during construction in what we lack in experience of welcom- be available to astronomers to under- Perkin Elmer Corporation in conjunc- the British factory of Sir Howard ing visitors we make up in readiness to take a wide range of investigations. tion with the Land F Machine Com Grubb Parsons and Company Limited. help. The 48-inch Schmidt telescope is a pany of California. A vacuum mirror We hope that, for everyone, the short focus wide angle telescope opera- aluminisi ng plant to accommodate the Fifteenth General Assembly of the ting at about F2.5 and capable of telescope's 72-inch diameter m irror has International General Assembly is a photographing an area of the sky six been supplied and installed at Si ding veys, in the blue and red wavebands, rewarding and enj oyable experience. degrees across - twelve times the dia- Spring by Edwards High Vacuum uf are expected to be completed in late meter of the moon - on a single photo- Crawley Sussex (England). 1975. lt is beli eved that with the im- graph. Its large size and excell en t optics The southern sky survey is to be provements which h ave taken place in give it great penetrating power and it carried out by a Science Research optics and in photographic emulsions From Heidelberg come Doctors R. l1as already recorded galaxies which Council Unit in conjunction with the it wi ll be possible for th ese surveys to Wielen, W. Gliese, W. Fricke, F. Henn, until now have been beyond the reach European Southern Observatory (ESO) detect stars and galaxies about one and T. Lederle. of telescopes in the southern hemi- whose Schmidt telescope in Chile magnitude fainter than in the survey sphere. It is parti cularly suited for recently came into operation. The sur- carried out by the Palomar telescope. Have a look at Sydney Rotational Sydney is one of the most historical story of each of these and give you Pol-universal mount with hydrostatic bearing cities in Australia but to get some directions to find each of them. As you · synthesis · Modified RITCHEY-CHRÉTIEN optics appreciation of what it was like in its stroll along, browse in the antique 1.2 m. • Advanced digital technology for high precision early days of settlement you need to shops, watch colourful candles being and user comfort made or add some collages to your visit the 'Rocks Area'. telescope ZEISS · Single-motor drive with digital control Those with energy can walk there, souvenirs. in steps of 0.1 arc sec. up to 8°/ min. but there are bus tours or taxis to In restored Argyle Terrace you can During the assembly we will publish Cassegrairi · Analog control up to 120°/ min. take you to the Information Centre , rest for a time in the coffee shops or descriptions of the activities of various recognised as the best starting point. have a meal in the Old Spaghetti Fac- astronomical centres. Enquiries: The building in which the centre is loc- tory before you go on to explore the The Fleurs radiotelescope is a new Telescope ated was once the City Coroner's Court CARL ZEISS PTY L TD Mining Mu seum, take a look at an old rotational synthesis telescope recently Box 147 Camperdown 2050 and there is a display area there, a film Police Station or linger in the hallowed built and put into operation by the SYDNEY NSW can be seen and maps and brochures atmosphere of St. Patrick's Church Electrical Engineering School of the Phone: 514378 are available. (dedicated 1844) the oldest Cath olic University of Sydney. It has the highest Walk over the road then in Playfair Church in the city. resolving power of any telescope which Street to Atherton Place ( c.l 880) For further information, or to make can observe the southern skies. At ZEISS Sydney's shortest street, then return to a booking, contact Pioneer Tours, p resent the reso1 vm i g power is 40 arc- West Germany George Street where you can see some Oxford Square (corner Riley Street) or . . seconds at a wavelength of 2 l cm but of the elegant and more in teresting old t a lk t o the A nset t -Poni eer represe ntatwe plans are in hand to improve this by a buildings. A brochure will explain the a t th e C ongress cen t re. factor of two. The telescope wj]J be used by the Schools of Electrical En- aids constructed fur use in a 'grating- gineering and Physics of the University, and by astronomers from organisations cross' by the CSIRO Division of Radio- Editorial note in Australia and other countries. physics in 1952 and later given to the Astronomy 73 is produced for the The new telescope is similar in prin- University of Sydney. Four larger Local Organizing Committee by Dr R. ciple to the earliest radiotelcscope parabolo ids have been added to this to X. McGee , Dorothy Braxton and Jack used for earth-rotational synthesis ob- form a pair of 'compound in terfero- Sandry. servations of the Sun twenty years ago meter' arrays one of which lies in an The editors are very grateful for in Sydney, but is very much more se n- east-wes t direction and the other in a the contributions that have already sitive. Unlike synthesis radiotelescopcs north-south direction. These arrays been received and would welcome more. in the northern hemisphere, the F lcurs operate independently . The north- But our printing schedule is tight, so if instrument is made up of a large num- sou th array (no t yet operational) will y ou could give us one clear working ber of relatively small steerable para- al low radio maps to be made close to day between receipt and required pub- The Mitsubishi Electric Corporation boloids which are all fixed in position. the celestial equator, a thing not pos- lication date we would be grateful. recently supplied this 7 metre radio- Mapping of 2 square degrees of sky is sible with synthesis telescopes that are Ch anges of programme and very urgent telescope to the Japanese Enterprise possible in less than one day . arranged in an east-west line. material can be submitted up to 1500 for International Telegraph and Tele- The instrument is unique in several T he six ty-four channel radio receiver hours on the day before publication. phones. ways. It makes use of 64 small parabol- which forms an important part of the telescope has a number of novel fea- Local films tures including com puter-ge nerated A programme of Austral ian films The very phase-rotating pilot signals in each will be shown at the Union Theatre at Early astronomy in Australia - 1 channel of the receiv er. 2000 hours on Tuesday, August 2 1. A ustralia does not have a long history of European settlement, but for a large part of that history, astronomy has played a The fil ms have been chosen to give latest part. A scene in Phillip Street, Sydney , when the early settlers were waiting for a lunar eclipse. ('Illustrated Sy dney News', the visitor an idea not only of the diver- 24 December 1881. Picture: courtesy A ustralian National Library) sity of the Australian experience but Cosmic also the stage of development reached • A joint meeting of Commissions by local documentary film makers. 4, 14, 3 1, and 40 wiJl be held on Tues- ray The programme is a long one, day, August 28, to discuss a meeting broken into two parts. From 2000 of the Consultative Commission on the hours until 2200 hours, the first f ive Definition of the Metre, sessions cd, studies films wil l be shown. room LT l l . Radio emissions from ex tensive air These will include Padding/on Lace, • Buses for the various excursions on showers are being investigated at the which was made to capture the spirit Saturday, August 25, will now depart Buckland Park Field Station where a of Sydney's Paddington, which in as foll ows. scintillation array for detecting showers recent years h as become the place to For the Fleurs Radio Observa tory , and determining their parameters has live to avoid the conventions and pre- at 1245 hou rs, immedia tely after the been install ed. The Cosmic Ray group dic tability of suburbia. morning session, from the Carslaw at the University of Adelaide (Professor Combining film shot on coral islands Building. Lunch will be provided at Prescott, Drs. Clay, Gregory and Patter with extensive underwater footage , Fleurs. son) h as recently discovered a hitherto Great Barrier R eef presents a dazzling For the Sydney Harbour cru ise, unsuspected component of the radio introducti on to the Great Barrier Reef, Koala Bear Park, and downtown Sy d- emission at 100kHz. The pulses observ- off the North Coast of Queensland, and ney, from the Women's Coll ege at 1400 ed commonly ex hibi t large signal to its creatures. The film has been descr ib- h ours and from the Wentworth Hotel at 14 15 hours. noise ratios (Nature - in press) . The ed as 'a fa scinating combination of art characteristics of such radiation may and science, evoking with cinematic • The excursion to Parramatta has be favourable for the construction of a skill and scientific accuracy the beauty been cancelled. large radio array for the detection of of a unique natural area.' • A meeting of Commission (28) W.G., ultra high energy primary particle After supper at 2200 hou rs, a fu r- the Working Group on G alaxy Photo graphy, will be held on Tuesday August (E>l019eY) events. Pulses such as ther three films will be shown. th ose observed with the present equip- The National Gallery of Victori a, 28 , session a, room LT ll. ment may also provide valuable infor- one of the most attractive features of mation regarding the mass spectrum of the city of Melbourne, is the subject of Printed by Southwood Press Pty Limited. primary particles. The Gallery. 22 Steam Mill Street Sydney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Tuesday 21 August Delegates register for congress Kitt Peak National Observatory While many of the women attend- Participants of the Fifteenth Gen- Now president of the American ing the Congress are here as wives of eral Assembly of the IAU, the first to Astronomical Society, Bart Bok is astronomers and have a separate pro- dedicates Mayall 4-metre telescope be held in the southern hemisphere, accompanied by his wife who shares gramme, others will be taking part in The dedication in June of the 4- These two themes - the coming on began registering at the University on her husband's interests on a profess- a professional capacity. One of the metre (158-inch) Mayall Telescope at line of the world's second largest reflec- Sunday. Many more flew in yesterday ional basis. During their stay in Sydney best known among them is Dr Margaret Kitt Peak National Observatory was ting te lescope, with the promise of from the 46 countries represented and they will be reading proofs of the Bu rbidge who is Director of Greenwich the occasion for celebration not only becoming a superb research instrument, Observatory. Dr Burbidge, who is on the remainder are expected today. fourth edition of one of the books on of the successful completion and opera- and its part in fulfiJJing the ambitious which they have collaborated, The the Board of Directors of the Anglo Some of the astronomers have tion of a new frontier instrument for plans laid in 19 58 with the establish- Australian Telescope, Jives in the already been in Australia for a week: or Milky Way. For Dr Bok, the holding of the optical astronomy, but also , in a broad- ment of Kitt Peak as a national observa- so to attend symposia in Perth and congress in Australia is an important United States but commutes regularly er perspective, of Kitt Peak's evident tory - ran througl1 both the formal Canberra, to visit Siding Spring for to England. step forward. 'it's something I lobbied and growing maturity as a world centre remarks and informal discussions during the opening of the 48-inch Schmidt for for a long time,' he said on his Professional interests apparently for astronomical research. the two days of dedication activities in telescope or to tour observatories in arrival on Sunday. die hard among astronomers and a Tucson, Arizona. various parts of the country. Equally enthusiastic about having number of the participants are actually An international gathering of more Early arrivals included the IAU the Congress in Sydney was the IAU's retired but stiJJ retain a close associ- than 250 invited guests took part in President, Professor B. Strömgren, General Secretary, Professor C. de ation with their former work and col- the ceremonies which were highlighted who on F riday flew to Siding Spring Jager, Professor of Astronomy at leagues. Among the best known of on June 20 by the formal naming of to officially open the Schmidt tele- Utrecht University and President of these is Dr Jan Oort of the Ne ther- the 4-metre telescope in honour of scope and Dr. Bart Bok, a former COSPAR, an international space lands who remains one of Europe's Nicholas U. Mayall, director of Kitt director of Mt Stromlo Observatory agency. 'It's high time we met in Aust- best known astronomers. Peak from 1960 until his retirement in ralia,' he said. 'This country has done Between 700 and 800 are expected and one of the best known astronomers 1971. In attendance were representa- so much for astronomy.' to attend the Congress. The number is in Australia. tives of unive rsities, obse rvatories, and smaller than usual but according to research centres from all parts of the sities and the active exchange it carries Professor de Jager, this was to be U.S. and 15 other nations th roughout out with astronomers and observatories expected because of the time of the the world. Greetings were also received throughout the world. Dr. Strömgren extraordinary meeting of the congress and read on the occasion from many also read greetings received from scien- being held in Poland in a few weeks other individuals and institutions, tists abroad who could not be present. time. This conference has been arran- nationally and internationally. Edward Khachikyan, of the Armenian ged to mark the 500th anniversary of Not unnoted was the coincidence Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory the great astronomer, Copernicus, and that the celebration was taking place in the Soviet Union, then a visitor at The Mayall telescope showing the some of the European members, par- both during the 500th anniversary Kitt Peak, read a Jetter of congratula- 4-metre fused quartz mi"or at centre ticularly those in the eastern countries, year of Copernicus' birth and also dur- tions, with comments on the impor- of horseshoe (lower right) and prime- will be attend.ing that meeting in pref- ing the 25 th anniversary of the de dica- tance of the new telescope for galactic Professor C. de Jager, Secretary General of IAU's Executive meets his Dutch-born co/League, focus observing cage (upper left). Dr Bart Bok, a vice-president of the lA U and former director ofMt Stromlo Observatory. erence to coming south to Australia. tion in June 1948 of the 200-inch tele- as tronomy, from the president of the scope on Mount Palomar in California. Armenian Academy of Sciences, V .A. Kitt Peak director Leo Goldberg re- Ambartsumian. marked in this connection, "If the Have a look at Sydney Grubb Parsons uv development of modern astronomy To get a panoramic view of the city rivers stretching westwards to the Blue began with Copernicus, it has experi- there's no place like the Skywalk. This Mountains. Astronomical astronomy enced its most spectacular growth dur- is a fully enclosed level on top of Aust Skywalk is equipped with telescopes Telescopes ing the past 25 years, and it is no acci- ralia Square Tower, the tallest building to give you closer views of all the areas. dent that the 200-inch telescope began in Sydney. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00p.m. in Adelaide operating at the beginning of this The very Look north across the Harbour daily and there's a coffee shop to relax period." Bridge to the mushrooming North in when you've had enough of the Astronomical measurements by the In his dedication address, the direc- latest Sydney area or south to see historic sights. Space Group of the Department of tor of the National Science Foundation, Botany Bay. To the east there is the For further information, or to make Physics of the University of Adelaide H. Guyford Stever, who was recently controversial Sydney Opera House and a booking, contact Pioneer Tours, Ox (Professor Carver, Dr. Horton) are con- appointed by President Nixon as science the views of Sydney harbour itself. To ford Square (corner Riley Street) or cerned mainly with the measurements advisor, recalled " the two decades of • Commission 48 will hold its admini- the west there are the upper reaches of talk to the Ansett-Pioneer representa- of ultraviolet flux using photon ion deliberation, decision-making, and dif- strative meeting in Room LT8 on Satur- the harbour, the intricate pattern of tive at the Congress centre. chambers mounted on rockets and ficult work to create a national astro- day 25 August, session b, and its Grubb satellites. One group of measurements nomical observatory that would fill scientific m eeting in Room LT8 on Parsons consists of determination of the absol- many requirements". Among these, Wednesday 29 August, sessions c, d. ute solar flux in the wavelength regions Newcastle upon Tyne · England NE6 2YB contained in recommendations to NSF 12 16A, 1420 - 1480A and 1580- by a number of advisory panels of Greetings from Mitsubishi 1650A. Observations of the integrated astronomers, were that the observa- • Commission 10. A public lecture by We wish to extend our warm greet- The drive/control systems are sched- ultraviolet flux from the entire solar tory should be a cooperative inter- atmospheric experimenters will be given ings to the participants in the Fifteenth uled to be completed later this year. disc indicate a solar temperature mini- A i university observing centre serving all in Room LTS, session b. General Assembly of the International The experience we have gained in this u str a an mum of ( 4570 ± 50) K. Instruments branches of astronomy; that it should project will be invaluable in future work Astronomical Union. designed to measure fluxes in the include fac ilit ies for photoelectric, The IAU and Mitsubishi companies, on radio telescopes. a rt extreme ultraviolet between 500Å and photographic, and spectrographic stud- the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 900Å are presently being constructed. ies ; that it be located at a site with • Finance Committee. The first meet- (MELCO) and Mitsubishi Australia In this field we have already provided A display of Australian art will be Soft X-ray flux measurements at 44A more favorable winter and spring ing (short session) of the Finance Com- Limited have many interests in a 6-metre diameter radio telescope for opened today in the War Memorial and 60Å are also being carried out. weather than on the Pacific Coast; and mittee, in Room TIS on Tuesday 21 common. Building on many years of millimetre wavelength use at the Tokyo Gallery of the Fine Arts building of the A second group of measurements that it should allow equal observational August, begins at 1600 and not at experience with various types of steer- Astronomy Observatory and a 7-metre University. concern the ultraviolet solar flux re- opportunities for all astronomers and 1630. able antennas, we are now actively en- diameter radio telescope for the Japan- Most of the artists represented are fl ected from the lunar surface. Wave all institutions, the major criteria for gaged in the construction of radio/ ese enterprise for International Tele- Australians but one or two of them length ranges studied are 2300Å- use being the competence of the investi- optical telescopes. graph and Telephones. We are current- were born in Europe and have since 2900Å and the Lyman-∞ line ( 12 16A). gator and the scientific merit of his • Buses will be available to take Since the spring of 1971 MELCO ly engaged in the development of radio come to live and work in this country. Recent observations show that the problem. people home to city hotels after inter- has been working the on Anglo-Austra- telescopes with diameters up to 45 The 26 paintings which will be on lunar albedo decreases sharply towards Greetings on the occasion from the val at tonight's film showing. A second lian 150-inch optical telescope which metres. display have been lent to the Congress shorter wavelength, falli ng to 0.7% at international astronomical community bus will be available at the end of the is now being installed at the site in Sid Also under development is a radio- through the courtesy of the Rudy 2400Å and 0.3% at l216A (Carver, were brought in remarks by Bengt screening. ing Springs, New South Wales. telescope having an extremely short Komon Gallery and are for sale. Horton, O'Brien and O'Connor - to be Strömgren of Denmark, president of In this project, Mitsubishi is respon- wavelength and its reflector an extrem- Almost all the artists are well known published in " The Moon" ). the International Astronomical Union. sible for the detailed design, fabrica- ely high surface accuracy. A wind- and have had work hung in both State A further planned experiment is He pointed to the very active tradition • Joint Discussion 111, Monday 27 tion, and installation of the mount/ tunnel test has been performed on a and National galleries in Australia. designed to measure radiation fl uxes of cooperation that exists among astro- August. The introduction will now be drive/control systems. The telescope 1: 100 model. Many have exhibited overseas. in the extreme ultraviolet due to the nomers on a national as well as inter- given by Dr G. Cayrel de Strobel under mount has now been installed after a The exhibition, which has been helium corona of the Earth's upper national level, noting the part that Kitt the title 'The ages of stars in the neigll- four-month-long complete testing sche- In closing, we wish the Fifteenth arranged by the Women's Committee, atmosphere and may be of sufficient Peak has played in this cooperative bourhood of the sun'. Professor J. dule, including shop erection. General Assembly every success. will remain open until 29 August. se nsitivity to detect fluxes from stellar endeavour, both through its manage- Oort, who was to have given the intro- sources. This experiment is being flown ment by an association of U.S. univer- duction, has asked to be excused. in conjunction with vacuum ultraviolet detectors of the USNRL. Early astronomy in Australia - 2 The Mayall4-metre telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. Australia does not have a long history ofEu ropean settlement, but for a large part of that history, astronomy has played a part. Astronomers waiting at Eden on the south coast of New South Wales for the Transit of Venus, December 1874. This was one of the observation stations set up in Australia for the event which aroused the interest of astronomers all round the world. (Picture: Courtesy Australian National Library) Editorial note A stronomy 73 is produced for the Local Organizing Committee by Dr R . X. McGee, Dorothy Braxton and Jack Sandry. The editors are very grateful for the contributions that have already been received and would welcome more. But our printing schedule is tight, so if you could give us one clear working day between receipt and required pub- lication date we would be gratefuL Changes of programme and very urgent material can be submitted up to 1500 hours on the day before publication.

Pri nted by Southw ood Press Pty Limited, 22 Steam Mill Stree t Sydney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Wednesday 22 August Commissions meet to discuss the metre

Astronomers have always taken a tion in methane and the red line by dard, is considered to be accurate to keen interest in the fundamental stan- absorption in iodine. ± 4 X 10-9. dards and constants of physics because Partly because the frequencies of The new developments and their of pressing practical requirements. lt stabilised lasers are highly stable, it has implications for the standard of wave- was the demands of solar and stellar been found possible to compare the length were discussed earlier this summ spectroscopy that led to the establish- frequencies of two lasers at widely er at a meeting of the Consultative ment of the first accurate scales of wave- different frequencies by harmonic com- Committee for the Definition of the length, and following the interfero- parison using a point junction diode as Metre, a sub-committee of the Inter- metric measurements of A.A. Michelson a mixer and harmonic generator. ln this national Committee for Weights and at the end of the 19th century, the IAU way, the frequency of the 3.39J.Lm line Measures. adopted the wavelength of the red line of the helium-neon laser has been meas- Dr. A.H. Cook, President of Comm- of cadmium as the standard to which all ured in terms of the caesium standard ission 14, attended the meeting of the wavelengths should be referred. Sub- frequency, making use of the su bmilli- Consultative Committee as the repre- sequently, from 19 50 onwards, Comm- metre HCN laser and the far infra-red sentative of the IAU; other members of ission 14 has been very active in the in- water and carbon dioxide lasers for the IAU are also members of the Con- vestigations and discussions that led to intermediate steps. sultative Committee and at their request, the wavelength of the orange line of The upshot of these recent develop- the General Secretary has arranged for a Kr 86 being adopted as the internation- ments is that a better standard of wave- joint meeting of Commissions 4, 14,31 al standard of length, replacing the length than the Kr- 86 line can now be and 40 to be held on Tuesday 28 Aug- platinum-iridium metre formerly foreseen and also, by combining ust at which these members will report accepted. measurements of the wavelengths of on the discussions in the Consultative The wavelength of the Kr- 86line stabilised lines in terms of the Kr- 86 Committee, explain their significance was considered to be reproducible to 1 standard with measurements of fre- for astronomy, and if it seems suitable part in 10 8, but in recent years gas quency, a new value of the speed of introduce draft resolutions. Any new lasers have given radiations with, it light can be established. The Kr- 86 standard of wavelength will of course seems, far more reproducible wave standa rd h as, in fac t, b een shown by affect sp ectroscopists, though not very lengths when they are stabilised by re- these studies to be reproducible to seriously; more important will be the ference to the wavelength of an absorp- better than one part in 10 8, indeed, the adoption of a new value of the speed tion line in a reference gas. For example, new value of the speed of light, ex- of light, because ali astronomical dist- the 3.39J.Lm line of the helium-neon pressed in terms of the Kr- 86 wave- ances are in effect, measured as times Th e European Southern Observatory laser can be stabilised against absorp- length and the caesium frequency stan- of transit of light or radio waves. on La Silla Mountain early in 1973. Jn the foreground is the dome of the The European Southern Schmidt telescope, aperture 160 em ( 100 em corrector plate}.ln the back- Observatory ground from left to right are the domes of the double astrograph (40cm), the The agreement under which the Eur- eluding a small number from non- photometric (1m) telescope, the opean Southern Observatory has been member States. spectroscopic ( 1.52m) telescope and the established came into force in January Research, both by the visiting astron- 50cm telescopes of ESO and Copen- 1964 and by 1966 Belgium, Denmark, omers and by staff in Chile, includes hagen Observatory. France, the German Federal Republic, investigations of the Galaxy with spec- The Netherlands and Sweden were part- ial emphasis on the structure in the gal- Schmidt telescope to be established in icipating in the project. The project was actic plane and properties of individual Australia by the United Kingdom's to make available to European astron- galactic clusters. Considerable attention Science Resea rch Council. omers first class observing facilities in is also given to the Magel\anic clouds, The main instrument of the Observ the place where their use would be most observations of which are favoured by atory will be the 3.6- m telescope effective - in the southern hemisphere. good observing conditions in the period which is expected to be operational in The Southern Headquarters are at November to April . 1976. This is designed for use at the Santiago de Chile and the Observatory Special projects on stellar objects prime focus as well as with cassegrain is established on La Silla Mountain, 600 include chemical abundances, variable and coude faci li ties_ For prime focus kilometres to the north. The general stars and stellar magnetic fields. A observations the observer will be seat- administrative services and the office of major programme for the Schmidt tele- ed in an observing station at the top of the Director General are in Hamburg scope will be the extension of the Palo- the telescope. For cassegrain observa- and the Telescope Project Division mar Schmidt Survey in the blue and tions he will also move with the tele- whose main object is the design and red to the southern hemisphere. The scope in a cassegrain cage and the coude supervision of the construction of a production of the sky atlas, based on laboratory will be immediately below A group of early arrivals at the IAU 3.6-m telescope is near Geneva. the negatives taken at La Silla, is to be the floor of the telescope building. It Reception tonight has a chance to talk for a few minutes Astronomers of member states are done by the Sky Atlas Laboratory at is expected that an important aspect before the serious business of the Con- allocated observing time on the tele- Geneva. This programme is closely co- of programmes of the telescope will A reception will be held tonight at the guests. gress begins. scopes, with travelling and lodging ex- ordinated with the plan s for the be observational cosmology. Sydney Town Hall for the members of The function will begin at 1830 From left: Dr M.K. V. Bappu, india, penses paid by the Observatory organ- the International Astronomical Union. hours between 1730 and 1800 hours. Dr G. Co ntopoulos, Greece (both Vice- isation so that the freedom to use strative meeting in room LT8 on Thurs- The guests will be welcomed by the Transport has been arranged to leave Presidents), Professor B. Strömgren, observing time is not limited by the day 23 August session d. Minister for Science, Mr W. L. Morrison, Carslaw Building. President, Professor F.K. Edmondson, financial means of the home institu- The very • The open meeting of the working the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Tomorrow a reception has been President of Commission 20, Indiana, tion. Up to April 1973 observing time group on Numerical Data will be held Griffin, the Acting Vice Chancellor of organized by the State Government USA , and Dr Leo Goldberg, Kitt Peak had been granted for 190 programmes Tuesday 28 August sessions c, d room the University of Sydney, Professor W. for the Executive of the International Observatory, USA . latest LTl 2 instead of Thursday 23 August. Astronomical Union, national represen- proposed by visiting astronomers, in- M. O'Neil and the foreign secretary of • The joint meetings of Commissions tatives, and Presidents of Commissions. • 'Discovery 73', the major science the Australian Academy of Science, Dr 27, 40, 42, 44 and 48 (variable x-ray This will be held at the State Govern- programme presented on ABC tele- J .P. Wild. The President of the Inter- sources) and 35,42 and 48 (black holes, ment Offices and transport has been vision , which was videotaped at the national Astronomical Union, Dr Bengt x-ray sources and radio stars in binary arranged from the Carslaw Building. Assembly yesterday will be seen on Strömgren will respond on behalf of systems) are now combined into one Have a look at Sydney Channel 2 tonight at about 2000 hours. meeting which will last al l day on Thurs- • The meeting of Comm ission 6 on Sydney is famous for its beaches, lf you like animals, there is an Afri- day 23 August in room LT5. Invited Thursday 23 August has been changed particularly Bondi and Manly. A visit can Lion Safari you can enjoy at Warra- speakers are: Tananbaum, Wade, Liller, from session b to session d, room LT8. Early astronomy in Australia - 3 to Manly can serve a double purpose - gamba Dam. This is Australia's big Rees, Wilson and Kondo. There will be • Meetings of Commission 20 will be stop off long enough to see Marineland game reserve and you can drive through several other speakers and time for A ustralia does not have a long history of European settlement, but for a large held on Friday 24 Augu st, sessions c with its killer sharks, giant stingrays the area and see 70 lions roaming free discussion. part of that history, astronomy has played a part. A n early photograph of the and d, room LT8 . The first session will and enormous turtles. Divers handfeed - no bars, no cages, no danger! As an • The Administrative session of Com- moon, taken from the Great Melbourne Telescope and published in the 'Austral- be ad mini strative and the second the creatures before your eyes. added attraction there is the Dolphin- mission 48 (high energy astrophysics) ian Sketcher' in 18 74. (Photo: Courtesy Australian National Library) devoted to priorities for the observa arium where dolphins demonstrate will be held on the morning of Satur- their remarkable intelligence. Contact ti on of minor planets. This replaces Taronga Park Zoo is a 'must' for any day 25 August in room LT4. There wi ll the joint mee ting with Commissions visitor to Sydney, a chance to see Aust- your hotel receptionist or the New be an additional sc ientific session on 15,21 and 22, originally scheduled to ralia's unique wildlife in natural se ttings. South Wales Tourist Bureau fo r infor- the afternoon ofWednesday 29 August mee t all day. The zoo is easily reached by ferry and mation on coach trips. in room LT8. Anyone in terested in con- bus and inquiries at your hotel desk or For further information, or to make • Commission 28, the working group tributing to this session should contact the conference centre will give you all a booking, contact Pioneer Tours, on Magellanic clouds will be held on M.J. Rees (7024) as soon as possible. the information you want on how to Oxford Square (corner Riley Street) or Tuesday 28 August , session b, LTll . • Commission 24 (photographic astro- Please contact C. Fehrenbach (4013). ge t there. Wear comfortable shoes to talk to the Ansett-Pioneer represen ta- nomy astrometry) will hold two meet- • Commission 6 will hold its admini- walk up and down the hills. tive at the Congress centre. ings on Friday 24 August, session ab in room LT7: the administrative meeting and the meeting on the sou them hemi- sphere. On Wednesday 29 August, the 0.25 A half width commission will hold two meetings, ZEISS Ha Filter (L YOT) Shift range ± 16 A 'reduction from relative measurements to absolute values', and the follow up Available with fully automati c program to symposia 54 and 6 1. control and exposure timer • Pocket Programme: Thursday 23 August - The pocket programme for the late sessions of Thursday 23 August should read - Enquiries:

CARL ZEISS PTY LTD 0930 1130 14 14 16 15 Box 147 Camperdown 2050 LT7 W.G. (N um.Da ta) W.G. (Num.Data) 25 55 LT8 6 SYDNEY NSW LT9 30 30 Phone: 514378 LT10 14, 29, 45 12 12 LT11 16 16 19 19 LT12 34 34

West Germany Printed by Southwood Press Pty L imited, ZEISS 22 Steam M ill Street Sydney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Thursday 23 August Telling the IAU story Fundamental astrometry It may be difficult for scientists to Australian viewers, Dr Bart Bok, the taking part in the IAU Assembly to former director of the Mt Stromlo at Heidelberg believe it, but there are still people Observatory was 'captured' by 'This One of the aims in fundamental observatories and laid down in about who do not know the difference be Day Tonight' for a television appear- astrometry is to provide the local 200 catalogues. tween astronomy and astrology. ance when he was in Perth last week. inertial frame of rest for the measure- The aims of the programme are But after this Congress the com- Earle Bailey of Channel Seven and ment of motions of celestial bodies manifold. They include the elimination munications gap on that score should Rick Anderton from Channel Nine and the earth. In practice, it is given by of large scale inhomogeneities still be lessened if the amount of publicity have both been around the Assembly a fundamental system of positions and present in the conventional system, given to the Assembly proceedings is doing interviews for their national net- proper motions of stars. For the deter- the improvement of the individual any indication of how this can be work news programmes. mination of the system, absolute ob- positions and proper motions of the brought about. A number of features have already servations of positions of stars and of fundamental stars, and the improve- On Tuesday the Carslaw building appeared in the Australian press about members of the planetary system are ment of the position of the equator and had television cameras installed in a the Assembly. Miss Jane Ford, science re quired which determine the position equinox. Moreover, new fundamental number of places, a studio was set up writer for 'The Sydney Morning Herald' of the equator and the vernal equinox. stars shall be added to represent the in one of the rooms, there were journa is likely to become a familiar face Such observations have always been system down to 9th visual magnitude. lists from newspapers, radio and tele before the end of the activities and made by a number of observatories vision present most of the day and most of the other Sydney newspapers Last but not least, one of the aims will distributed over the whole world. For be to extend the fundamental system press photographers were never far will be well represented to cover !AU their reduction accurate values of the down to very faint objec ts which are distant. activities and personalities. constants of precession, mutation, and Among them was the ABC Science optical counterparts of extragalactic Unit which made a special presentation aberration have to be known. radio sources. The new radio astra- for their 'Discovery 73' series. In this, Above left, Rick Anderton of At present, a group of astronomers metric techniques have opened the way a half-hour programme shown on Channel Nine interviews Dr Margaret at the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, for the establishment of an extragalac- Channel 2 last night, producer Ron Burbidge, Director of Greenwich Ob Heidelberg, is starting work on a new tic reference frame represented by May , science editor, Mike Daley and servatory, for a national news pro- fundamental system that they want to positions of compact radio sources. journalists Robin Williams and David gramme. The cameraman is Stephen complete, if possible, before 1980. In The positions of the optical counter- the group are a few members of the parts then serve to link the classical Ellyard introduced a numher of Assem Richards and the audio operator is fundamental system with an extragal- bly personalities to Australian viewers. Dennis Parker. Below, Robin Williams team that has already compiled the An ABC news team which earlier (left) science journalist and Mike Daley, present conventional system known as ac tic reference frame. The result of the Heidelberg programme will largely flew to Siding Spring for the opening science editor of the ABC (in ty pical the Fourth Fundamental Catalogue of the 48-inch Schmidt telescope, has pose) discuss the programme 'Discovery (FK4). These are Drs. W. Fricke, W. depend on the active cooperation with Gli ese, and Dr. T. Lederle. A number astronomers in the fields of optical and also been present to interview other 73 ' which was made in a special TV of younger colleagues will assist them radio astrometry who just met in Perth, scientists. studio in Carslaw building on Tuesday in the large undertaking that consists Western Australia, for a discussion of One of the best known astronomers and shown on Channel 2 last night. in the analysis and exploitation of 'New Problems in Astrometry' in IAU recent observations made at about 40 Over the last three years Symposium No. 61. The IAU has fall en a vic tim of the sations became more involved while inflation that is rocking almost every the number of scientific meetings country in the world. sponsored by the Union doubled in This, states the annual report of the comparison with the period 1967-69. Executive Committee, prompted the The number of Union publications Executive's decision to abandon some increased and for 1973 work had to be of its former 'acts of generosity' such completed for two Assemblies - one as the free distribution of its Transla in Australia and the other in Poland. tions to Members and forced it to de Since 1970 two more countries, mand 'the increase of the unit of Cuba and Uruguay have joined the contribution payable to Adhering Union bringing the number of Adhering Organisations'. Countries to 46. The Republic of The other trend which showed up South Korea has also expressed interest during the three year period of 1970- concerning admission. 73 was the expansion of IAU activities. Membership of individuals has These embraced an increase in indivi shown a steady increase; the total was dual membership and an increase in 2509 on 1 February this year and the number of Commissions and Ad- some 600 other astronomers will be hering Organisations. Relations with proposed for membership during the other international and national organi- prese nt General Assembly. Multi-mirror telescope The telescope mount of the 150-inch Anglo-A ustralian telescope, built by A model of 'the telescope of the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and currently being installed at Siding Spring, Grubb Parsons future' which is being built in the New South Wales. desert country of Arizona is attracting Astronomical considerable interest at the Congress. Telescopes STC-Cannon Components Pty. Ltd. The model of the telescope, a mul- Moorebank Avenue, Liverpool tiple mirror project known as the this one will be 'barn' shaped and the N.S.W. 2170 enormous quantities of solar energy. MMT, has been brought to Australia whole building with its ancillary rooms Funding for their telescope is to by one of its 'inventors,' Dr Fred L. will rotate. come from the U.S. Government Suppliers of special purpose Whipple, Phillip Professor of Astronomy The idea of the MMT stems from Dr through the Smithsonian Institute and multiplier photo tubes for at Harvard and Director Emeritus of Whipple and a fellow scientist, Dr Adan from the Arizona State Government a broad range of applications the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observa Meine! of the University of Arizona through the University of Arizona. tory in Cambridge, Mass. who, along with his wife, Marjorie, has Both Dr Whipple and Dr Meine! With a light-collecting area equal to recently received much international will be speaking on the subject of tele- that of a conventional 176-inch reflec- publicity for the idea of a 'solar farm' scopes on Monday when the model of Grubb tor, the MMT consists essentially of six which they believe could produce the MMT will be demonstrated. Parsons 72-inch refl ectors mounted in a hexa- Dr Fred L. Whipple with the model of gonal array around a common core. The ------Newcastle upon Tyne · England NE6 2YB light from the primary mirrors (each the multiple-mirror telescope. Saturday 25, session b (I 11 5) instead f/2.7) will be reflected by their respec- tive secondaries and brought to the of on Wednesday, 29 August. system's common central axis by two The very • Commission 47 will hold its meeting Early astronomy in Australia - 4 plane-mirror re fl ections. in room LT9 on Monday 27 August, The six-barrell ed tube structure will sessions c, d. Australia does not have a long history of European settlement, but for a large part of that history, astronomy has play ed a • A joint Meeting of Commissions 34 part. An astronomical observation post - Cook's second voyage to Australia. (Ph oto: Courtesy Australian National Library) have an altazimuth mounting resulting latest in a system that is compact and ri gid . and 35 on Cloud fragmentation will be Nearly all observational astronomers held in room L Tl 0 on Tuesday , 28 • There will be a scientific session of August, session d. feel a strong need for increased light- Commission 4 7 (preceded by a short gathering power which can be obtained • The joint meeting of Commissions business meeting) in the afternoon of 4 and 31 on UTC, scheduled for Satur- by using a larger collecting area or more Monday 27 August in room LT9. Those sensitive detectors or both. day 25 August at 0930 will be held the interested in contributing to this sess- same day , 25 August, at 1115 in room The problems involved in achieving ion should contact M.S. Longair (701 3) this power are becoming increasingly LT8. or M.J . Rees (7024). • Contrary to previous announcements difficult and th e costs associated with • Symposium 60: Would al l registered it extremely high . . . even to duplicate the meeting of the SCOSTEP Working participants for Symposium 60 who Group on Flare Built-up Studies will the 200-inch Hale telescope would now have not yet checked at the Symposium cost an est imated $US20 million. Dr now take place on Saturday 25 August . 60 desk in the general office, please do 09 15 (exactly) till 11 00 (exactl y) in Whipple believes that the multi-mirror so as soon as possible. telescope, which is being built at a to tal room LT4, Carslaw Building. cost of about $US400,000, may well • A mee ting of the Canadian Delegation • A joint meeting of Commissions 8, be the answer. will be held in room Tl4 on Friday, 24 24 and 33 will be held on Saturday, 25 The MMT is being constructed on August at 1315. K.O. Wright. August, session a, in LT5. B.J. Bok Mt Hopkins at an altitude of 8600 ft. • Commission 15 will hold its admini- will report on the astrometry sym Philco-Ford Western Development strative session in room LT11 on Fri- posium in Perth, followed by discussion. Laboratories, who constructed the day , 24 August, session b. • Commission 33's administrative model, have started erecting the basic • Commission 2 1 will hold its admini- session will be held on Saturday, 25 mounting and drive system and the strative session in room LT10 on Fri- August, session b, in LT5. mirrors are now being ground by the day, 24 August, session c. • The item from Wednesday's 'Astron University of Arizona. • Commission 22 will hold its admini- omy 73' which said 'The function will Design work is also being completed strative session in room LT 10 on Fri- begin at 1830 hours between 1730 and on the optical support system and on day, 24 August, session d. 1800 hours', has been referred to the the building which will house the tele- • Commission 43 will hold its meeting Ephemerides Commission. scope. Unlike buildings of conventional on Special Problems in Magneto- Printed by Southw ood Press Pty Lim ited , telescopes which are domed-shaped, Hydrodynamics in room LT lO on 22 Stea m Mill St reet Sydney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Friday 24 August Catalogue Joint meeting on molecular revised radioastronomy A revised new General Catalogue of lt is now eight years since the first excitation, formation and deshuction Nonstellar Astronomical Objects has stimulated radio emission from the of molecules. been published by the University of hydroxyl molecule was detected by the Arizona Press. The catalogue is a Now, when such a wealth of astron- radio astronomy group at Berkeley; revised edition of the original NGC omical data is becoming available, since then, many hydroxyl sources catalogue issued in 1888 which was seems a good time to consider how far have been found, sources of stimulat- published under the auspices of the existing information suffices for in ter- ed emission from water have been ob Royal Astronomical Society. preting those da ta, and what new in served, the curious behaviour of form- The task of revising this significant formation about molecular spectros- aldehyde has been noted, and radio astronomical work was undertaken by copy is needed. emission from or absorption by more two American sc ientists, Mr Jack W. A joint session of Commissions 14 Sulentic, a graduate student in astro than 30 molecules has been discovered. and 40 has therefore been arranged for nomy at the University of Arizona and As with all astrophysics, the interpret- Dr William G. Tifft, Professor of Astro ation of the astronomical observations the morning of Saturday 25 August, to nomy at the same University . requires data from experiements in the discuss modecular radio astronomy. The work was begun by Mr Sulentic laboratory and from theoretical calcul- Two speakers, Dr. B.J. Robinson and in 1964 and he was joined by Dr Tifft ations; in this case, very precise frequen Dr. B.E. Turner, will discuss molecular in 1969. The book was completed last cies of transitions for identification, data that the radio astronomer needs, year and is now available through the probabilities of emission of radiation, while Dr. D. R. Johnson will discuss publishers. and cross sections for processes of current experimental programmes. The new version corrects many of the errors and discrepancies of the original catalogue and provides much new information particularly through its close ties with the Palomar Sky Survey. Information is given on identifica tion, types of object, equatorial and galactic co-ordinates, rectangular co The first observations of the solar electrons are often found trapped in The above photograph shows the ordin ates on the Palomar Sky Survey, corona were made optically by eclipses; magnetic fields, so that they act like solar corona observed at the recent magn itudes, both original and new then came the technique of artifical tracer particles in radioheliograph pic eclipse of 30June 1973 from the descriptions and cross references into eclipsing and the coronagraph. An tures to reveal, for instance, the forma National Science Foundation site at all major catalogues. entirely new method is now available tion and eruption of huge magnetic Lake Rudolph, Kenya, by J. Rush, L. Dr Tifft, who is a participant at the for obtaining pictures of the corona, arches which tower to million-kilo- Lacey, and H. Hall ofHigh Altitude Assembly, has a copy of the catalogue that is by the use of its radio emissions metre heights above sunspot groups. Observatory. A radially graded neutral with him and will be happy to discuss at metre wavelengths. The main diffi- The most important solar eruptions density filter in the focal plane of the it with any other interested scientist culties of this method are posed by the are the solar flares and it is in this 2 metre focus camera largely removes before his departure tomorrow. His needs ( 1) to obtain high enough angular field that the radioheliograms help to the large intensity difference between registration number is 8180. resolution requiring a 'telescope' aper bring a stark cla rity in explaining the the inner and outer corona and allows ture of about one thousand wavelengths diverse side effects of flares seen in the the entire corona to be recorded with or 3 kilometres, and (2) to form, optical and X-ray spectrum and through a single exposure. Polar north is up and almost simultaneously , complete two- geophysical phenomena. The radio ob east is left. (High Altitude Observatory, Proposed dimensional radio pictures as by a servations show that most of the effects Boulder, Colorado, is a Division of the photographic plate. These problems of large flares are due to an initial National Centre for Atmospheric Re executive have been met by the Culgoora radio- explosive instability that gives rise to search and is supported by the National The election of the Executive will heliograph in northern N .S.W. This ( 1) short bursts of high energy electrons Science Foundation.) take place on Thursday 30 August. Dr J.D. Mulholland of the University instrument has now been in operation at th e start of flares - these cause the The proposed executive is as of Texas finds time to look through for more than 5 years . In his Invited X-ray bursts and simultaneously the follows. the scientific book display in Room Discourse last night Dr J.P. Wild pre sudden ionospheric disturbances such President T7, Leve/ 3. sented some highlights among the wide as short-wave fade-outs; and (2) a long- Professor L. Goldberg U.S.A. Book display range of resul ts so far obtained. He range shock wave which spreads out Accolades Vice Presidents A comprehensive display of books used some 60 slides and 5 film se from the fl are causi ng prom inence Mr J .G. Bolton Australia and journals on subjects related to quences to demonstrate the results. eruptions, particle acceleration and from Prof. Ch. Fehrenback France astronomy has been arranged by the The collection also includes 'The Fortunately from a physics point of ul timately geomagnetic storms and General Secretary University Co-operative Bookshop Ltd Milky Way' by Dr Bart Bok and his view, phenomena which show strong aurorae on earth. Both the electron ESSCO Prof. G. Contopoulas Greece in Room T7 on Level 3. There are wife, Priscilla, and 'The Radio Universe' emission in the radio pictures (unlike bursts and the shock wave are vividly Assistant General Secretary about 150 titles in this section, many by J.S. Hey. We believe that accolades are due to optical coronagrams) are ge nerated by portrayed by radioheliograph motion Professor E.A. Muller Switzerland of which have been flown in to Aust- The cover of a new book by Sir all the participants and orga nizers of high-energy phenomena requiring the pictures and the remarkable way by Continuing Vice Presidents ralia from overseas publishers specially Bernard Lovell, 'Out of the Zenith' is the Fifteenth General Assembly of the production of energetic electrons. Such which both can induce new disturb Professor B.J. Bok U.S.A. for the occasion. on display. The book is not expected International Astronomical Union. ances at other far-distant centres of Sir Bern ard Lovell U.K. Several hundred copies of 'Astron to arrive in Australia until December, Once again you meet in an atmosphere activity can be studied in detail. Professor E.A. Mustel U.S.S.R. omy and Astrophysics', a journal pub but it is a more technical publication of peace, to share the resul ts of your One of the most interesting prob In advisory capacity lished by Springer-Verlag on behalf of than its predecessor 'The Story of scientific efforts and to plan your lems under study at the present time is Professor B. Strömgren, Denmark, the Board of Directors of the European J odrell Bank.' The new book describes future research. Such exchanges must a third class of flare effec ts brought Immediate Past President Southern Observatory, are available the remarkable discoveries which have inevitably accrue to th e benefit of all about by subsonic jets of gas ejec ted Professor C de Jager, Netherlands, for free distribution. been made since the J odrell Bank tele mankind. from the flare centre. There is evidence Immediate Past General Sec retary. Volume XVA, 'Reports on Astro scope was completed in 195 7 and the As our clien ts, we hope to supply that occasionally when such jets inter nomy,' which are the lAU transactions, new worlds of scientific knowledge you with tomorrow's radio telescopes. act with the coronal magnetic field, is available to members at a cost of which have opened up since investiga Meanwhile, we continue to learn from self-contained blobs of coronal matter $A39.90 and to non-members for tions began into radio galax ies, quasars you so that we can focus our technol ('plasmoids') are cause d to travel out- The very $A59.90. and pul sars. wards along the radial fi eld structure ogy and resources toward satisfying into interplanetary space. Such blobs your needs. All of us at ESSCO se nd are seen on the radioheliograph out to you our very best wishes for a success latest ful Fifteenth General Assembly. Meeting 2, jointly with Commission 4 Review of advances in time dissemina Dr J.P. Wild distances of up to 5 or 6 solar radii. tion • The Joint Mee ting of Commission Report by Director, BlH 25, 27, 34, 37 and 40 on Monday after Report by Director, BIPM Special Session on 'Applications of Early astronomy in Australia - 5 noon 27 August in room LT5 is now Report by Presi dent, Commission 31, Precise Time in Astronomy' Australia does not have a long history of European settlement, but for a large part of that history, astronomy has played a entitled 'Very Compact Hll Regions'. on URSI General Assembly • Commission 10 - Public Session Discussion on Velocity of Light. Dr Leo Goldberg will present a sum part. A wintry scene in 1900 at Clement Wragge's weather station, Mt Kosciusko, in the Snowy Mountains region. (Photo: There is still time available for a few Mid-morning (J130) LT1 2 mary of preliminary results from the Courtesy A ustralian National Library) short contributions. Prospective speak Meeting 3, jointly with Commission 19 ers should contact M.W. Feast (7009) Skylab-ATM Solar Experiments on or F.D. Kahn (7012). Astronomical Time and Latitude/In behalf of the ATM experimenters. This • JDV, 28 Au gust (Morning only) struments will be the first public presentation of 'Short Timescale Phenomena.' Speakers Saturday , 25 August these impressive new results. Tuesday, are G.R.A. Ellis: Jovian Radio Bursts; Mid-morning (1115) LT8 28 August, Session b (J 11 5 - 1245), Joint mee ting with Commission 4 room LT5. J. Ables: Review of Pulsars; and P. .A. Sturrock and F .G. Smith: Two oppos- "UTC" Question • A meeting of the New Zealand dele ing theories of pulsar emission. Com Report by Chairman, CC lR Working gation will be held room LTI3 at 1600 ments on the physics of the pulsar Party 7/ 1 on experience wi th the new on Monday 27 August. F.M. Ba teson magnetosphere are expected from F.D. system (5801) Kahn, L. Mestel and J.D. Piddington. Monday , 27 August • If you have booked for a theatre on Chairman M.S. Longair. Editors A.G. Morning (0930 and 11 30) LT9 Sa turday evening please make a note Lyne, F.G. Smith. Meeting 4 and 5 of the time at which your bus will leave. Reports on advances in Timekeeping For the Independent Thea tre, Bu s No. • Commission 28 (extragalactic astron (Clocks) and Relativity Clock Experi 888 departs Women's College 19 15, omy) will continue its scientific meet ment Wentworth Hotel (Phillip Street) 1930. ing on Friday 24 August session a, b in Resolutions adopted , organisation of At the end of the perfo rmance your room LT5. mutual cooperation, priorities re turn bus will be waiting nearby. • Commission 48 : session on Saturday Tuesday, 28 August For the Nimrod Theatre, Bus No. 666 25 August at 1115 in room LT4. In Morning (0930) LT11 departs Women's College 1920, Went- addition to the administrative meeting, Joint meeting with Commissions 4, worth Hotel (Phillip Street) 1930. this session will also include a paper by 14, 40 At the conclusion board your bus in L.E. Peterson on 'gamma-ray fl ares' Discussion on meeting of the Consul Vic toria Street, where you alighted. and other contributions. tative Committee on the Definition of For the Ensemble Thea tre, Bus No. • Commission 3 1 (Time) - Programme the Metre 777 departs Women's College 1930, of Remaining Meetings. Wednesday , 29 August Wentworth Hotel (Phillip Street) 1945. Friday , 24 August, Morning (0930 and 1130) LTl l At the end of the performance your Morning (0930) LT1 2 Meeting 6 and Special Session return bus will be waiting nearby.

Prin ted by Sou thwood Press Pty L imited , 22 Steam Mill Street Sydney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Monday 27 August

Cooperation between Cornell and Sydney University astronomers Astronomy Centre includes ( 1) at Cor nell , theoretical astronomy and astro- The unique organization known as interferome ter at Narrabri, NSW , of planetary surface phenomena and of partment. It has a programme of meas- ic clouds, pulsar searching and the physics, atmospheric and ionospheric the Cornell-Sydney University Astron- directed by Professor R. Hanbury plasmas. uring the angula r diameters or si ngle h o t positioning of radio sources. radio investigations, radar astronomy, omy Centre was founded in 1964 by Brown F.R.S. and the giant Mills Cross The Cornell 30 sm telescope is en- stars. 24 stars have been measured to The arms of the cross are 1 mile in experimental cosmic ray studies, infra- the Universities of Cornell in New (pictured above) at Molonglo Observa- gaged in work on pulsars, distribu lions date and a prelim inary temperature length and consist of modules of 40 red astronomy and planetary and Iun ar York State, U.S.A. and Sydney. Both tory at Hoskingstown, NSW , directed and classification of radio sources, scale has been published. Interesting feet w ide cyli ndrical paraboloids of surface laboratory investigations. In universities jointly use all th eir facilities by Professor B.Y. Mill s. The School of galactic structure, emission from stars such as αCMa (Sirius), αVir (Spica) wire mesh. The East-West area is tilt- addition facilities such as a computing for work in astronomy, astrophysics Electrical Engineering, University of planets, solar observations, lunar occul- and the Wolf Raye t Star and Velorum able througl1 ±55° from the zenith, the centre , a shock tube laboratory , the and related fie lds. The joint directors Sydney, headed by Professor W .N. tations of radio sources, scintillations have been studied in detail_ North -South "beam" is moved by elec- nuclear reac tor laboratory and surface of the centre are Professor T. Gold and Christiansen operates an important and the study of galactic objects. Tw o large reflectors (each of 252 trical phasing of individual dipoles. physics studies are available . H. Messel. antenna array at Fleurs, NSW , which The reflector is built in a natural individual mirrors) of focal length The instrument h as a reception band- (2) at Sydney, ionosphere study, Cornell University under contract acts as a 2 J em grating c ross for radio bowl and is shaped to be part of a 36 feet are mounted on circular rail width of 2 .5MHz and a beam-width at electronics and communication engi n- with the U.S. National Scie nce Foun- emission maps of the Sun and as a sphere. Tall towers support receiving ways tracks of 300 feet radius. the zenith of 2 .8 arc minu tes. The sen- eering, power engineering, control, dation operates the 305 metre radio rotational synthesis telescope of 40 and transmitting feed aerials which can The Sydney University Cross is sitivity is approx imately 5 X 10 -28 computers and circuit theory , the and radar telescop e of the Arecilio arc seconds resolution. The two groups be sited to cause a shift in the telescope controlled by the Astrophysics Dep art- wattsm-2 Hz-1 for a single observation. Besser Computing Department, depart- Observatory in Puerto Rico. The School have closely rela ted installations for beam of up to 20° from the Ze nith. m ent. It operates at a single frequency Operation at 110 MHz is under prepar- ments of theoretical physics, plasma of Physics, University of Sydney, has the observation of cosmic rays and The stellar interferometer is opera- of 408 MHz and has been used for sur- ation. physics and nuclear (high energy cosmic two main instruments: the stellar infrared radiation , experimental studies ted by the Chatterton Astronomy De- veys of the Milky Way and the Magellan- Allied work associated with the rays).

Astronomers and teachers day . At the lowest level the meeting News item Greek provided a forum and focus for the R.F. Garrison and W. Krzeminsky The General Assembly of the IAU gave some account of their project teachers. However, the speakers pro- report that photometric and spectro- The very is a meeting place for the professional work in Australia. vided a great deal of stimula ting ideas scopic observations from Las Campanas telescope astronomer. However , a Commission Mr T . Dickson o f Kil larney Heights and th ere was a vigorous exchange of Observatory, European Southern Ob latest devoted to the teaching of astronomy High School gave the Commission an information on available aids and servatory , and Cerro Tololo Inter- Since 197 1 a new 30-inch Casse must also meet with educationists and account of astronomy at secondary m aterial. The meeting may also have American Observatory of CD-33° 121 19 grain reflector with asymmetric mount • From Commission 46 . Are you feel- teachers if it is to rem ain alive to its level and staged a fascinating display of given a further impetus to efforts to = AS 231 indicate that it is an extremely is in operation at the Stephanion Ob ing just a little weary of high level responsibilities. In a new departure for teaching aids available to teachers from p repare astronomical teaching materials heav il y reddened , peculiar, variable servatory papers? If you are, why not join Com both Commission 46 and the IAU, a Australian sources. The meeting was for secondary education and for in- (Φ = +37°45' 15 " , λ = -22°49'44", star and is a possible identification for mission 46 in LT4 at 0915 and 1 1 15 meeting betwee n the Commission and concluded by a lively discussion. service courses in astronomy for the X-ray source GX354+0. Preliminary H = 800m above sea level) in Greece. tomorrow Tuesday, 28 August, for a Australian Teache rs of Science was It was an enj oyable and successful teachers. reductions give V=10.20, nonvariable; This telescope wh ich belongs to the p rogramme of educational and teach- arranged for 20 August 1973 in the B-V-2.10, with 0. 1 mag. range of vari- Department of Geodetic Astronomy, ing films on Astronomy . The pro- Stephen Roberts Theatre . The response ation; U-B= 1.20 , w ith 0.3 mag. range University of Thessalonik i (Director: gramme includes 'Exploring the Milky from the Australian teachers was most of variation. Time scale of variation is Prof. Dr L.N . Mavridis) is equipped Way', 'The Birth and Death of a Star', encou raging. While the majority of of order minu tes. Spectrum resembles with a J oh nson dual channel photo- 'A new Look at the Sun', 'The Solar teachers attending came from New A-Type supergia nt, but wi th P-Cygni electric photom eter and a Meine( Atmosphere', 'Fields of Space', and South Wales, the remainder of the emission in Balmer lines and very spec trograph . The research programmes many more. Commonwealth was well represented. strong interstellar fea tu res. 3U cata- carried out with this telescope refer • The A.F.E.S. Graduates Fellowship For the Commission, Dr D. McNally logue position o f X-ray source (E. mainly to the study of cepheids and (NSW) is presenting a Public Lecture discussed the relationship of astronomy Schreier, private communication) is flare stars as well as o f the late-type by Professor R .L.F. Boyd in the with the physical sciences and Prof. 1.3 arc min. North and 20 sec East. stars. Stephen Roberts Theatre, University W.G . Wenzel spoke about an approach to astronomy by means of limited of Sydney , Monday 27 August , at 2000. topics and of the value of practical Precise time hand, there are new fields of research Professor Boyd , who is Professor of work carried out by means of using A Special Session of Commission 3 l which demand th e im mediate know- Physics in London University and Head photographic m aterials. For the on 'Applications o f Prec ise Time in ledge of astronom ical time with high of the Mull ard Space Science Laborat- teachers, Mr H.K. Carey of the New Astronomy' will take place on Wednes- or even highest precision. ory of University College, will be South Wales Department of Education day 29 August , beginning a t 0930 in The Special Session is to serve as a speaking on the subject: 'K inds of gave an introduction to Aus tralian room LT11 of the Carslaw building. forum of discussion and mutual infor- Knowledge'. science education and in a p ithy The advent of atomic timekeeping m ation between Commission 3 1 to • Correction to timetable. 1 oint address, Mr R.H. Wil kinson of the Uni- and its rapid development h as rendered which 'Time' is entrusted , and speci- Meeting of Commissions 4 , 14, 31 and versity of Melbourne desc ribed the the possibility of producing most uni- alists in various fields of application of 40 on the Definition of the Metre: 28 heigh ts and dep ths of astronomical form and accurate time scales, and that precise t ime of different types. Jt is to Augu st at 0930 in LT9. teaching. He gave the Commission an The Minister for Science, Mr W.L. independently fr om observations of draw the astronomers' attention to account of the production of the astro- Morrison, and his wife with the Presi- astronomical events. The measurement the fact that the advent of atom ic nomical material for the 1uni or Schools dent of the Internatio nal A stronomical Asiago of precise time is no longer the sole timekeeping has opened up in astron- Postscript Science Project. Union, Professor B . Stromgren and Mrs domain of astronomers. However, omy new and unforeseen opportunities, JSSP material can be seen in the Stromgren at the R eception to welcome astronomical observatories and astro- and it is to give general information on exhibition staged by Commission 46 A ssembly participants. In addition to reflector nomers have played a very important the timing aspects of new developments. in the Book Shop (T7) . Mr J . Alexander Mr Morrison, the Lord Mayor of part in the development of atomic l n the beginning, a review will be of the Lind field Demonstration School Sy dney, Alderman David Griffin, the for Padua timekeeping and related techniques. give n on Advances in Time Dissemina- described h ow new approaches to Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Univer- Commission 31 of the IAU was the tion. Then the following members will primary school teaching allowed the sity of Sydney, Professor W.M. O'Neil, During the last month (July 1973) fi rst body to recommend, in 1967, the speak at the meeting: natural interest o f children in astronomy and the Foreign Secretary of the Aust- a new telescope was pu t into opera tion establishment by the Bureau Inter- L.V. Morrison (Ephemeris Time, Atomic Time and the Secular Accelera- to develop . ln perhaps the m ost ori ginal ralian Academy of Science, Dr J.P. at Asiago (University of Padua, Ital y) national de I'Heure of an international research aid of the day , 10 of his pup il s Wild, welcomed the guests. - the f/3 parabolic mirror has a dia- atomic time scale. tion of the Moon); All mail being posted through the Th is activity of astronomers has by 1 .D. Mulholl and (Lunar Laser Ranging); spec ial branch of the Post Office, which no means only a traditional background . K. l. Kelle rmann (Very Long Baseline has been set up in Carslaw building for Astronomical research would in many Radio Interfe rometry); the Assembly, is being hand cancelled Early astronomy in Australia - 6 fields be less exhaustive or even im- R. Wielebinski (Pulsar Research); with a special post mark. possible withou t the ap plication of H.F. Fliegel (Time as Used in Space The mark, which has been designed Australia does not have a long history of European settlem ent, but for a large higl1 precision clock time. Outside Research). by the Postmaster-General's Depart- part of that history, astronomy has played a part. The Great Melbourne Telescope aslronomy no need exists so fa r for Interested members of the Union as it was pictured in the 'Illustrated Melbourne Post' in 1888. (Photo: Courtesy ment, in collaboration with the local clock time of greatest uniformity ex- and their guests are kindly invited to organising committee of the lAU, Australian National Library) tending over very long time intervals. attend the Special Session of Commiss features the name of the Assembly and It must be no ted that , on the other ion 3 1. some stars of the southern sky as well.

m eter o f 182 em and at the present For visual observation and photography the obse rvations are carried out a t the 15 em cassegrain faci (fg and f/16). The optics • Quick change between lower and upper focus have been furnished by Grubb- ZEISS Goudé • Tracking for sun, moon and stars Pa rsons wh ile the mounting was com- • Accessories for viewing and photography pletely made in Italy , under the super- Refractor • Automatic sun tracking telescope vision o f Prof. L. Rosino, director , and · Ha Filter (lYOT) Prof. Ba rbieri. The new telescope • Schmidt or Cassegrain tube fl anks the already operating 122 em Enquiries: refl ec to r and the 90/65 em Schmidt. CARL ZEISS PTY LTD Its use will be mainly in the field of Box 147 Camperdown 2050 extragalactic research . SYD NEY NSW Phone: 514378

Prin ted by Southwood Press Pty Limited , 22 Steam Mill Street Sydney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Tuesday 28 August Polyatomic molecules Southern Ceres in space atlas watchers space characteristically deviates from The European Southern Observatory During the night of 4 September the thermodynamic equilibrium; excitation (ESO) and the UK Science Research moon will be passing in front of the and relaxation due to collisions com Council (SRC) have joined forces to asteroid Ceres, one of the more impor pete with radiative processes in ways prepare and publish a two-colour photo tant minor planets. The occultation by which frequently result in heat engine graphic atlas of the southern sky. It the seven-day-old moon will be visible cycles. Some such cycles refrigerate covers an area from declination -90° to in New Zealand and the south eastern the molecular distribution in its various -20° and is made up of 606 fields at 5° part of Australia and the Department energy levels, others superheat the dis centres. of Astronomy of the University of tribution and consequently produce The scale of photographs will be the Texas is asking for the co-operation of maser amplification, giving enormously same as the Palomar Observatory Sky both professional and amateur astron powerful sources of microwave radi Survey and the limiting magnitudes omers during this period. ation. will be similar. In the hope that a number of obser Molecular transitions in the micro The atlas, which will cost $A3000, vations will be made by scientists and wave range provide for the first time will be published on transparent film amateur enthusiasts Dr David W. useful probes into the interior of dark protec ted in transparent envelopes. Dunham and Dr J.D. Mulholland have and cool interstellar clouds, yielding Each copy of the atlas will consist prepared some material on the occul information on the cloud densities of 606 prints from blue plates ( llla-j) tation and the predicted time of its (ranging from about 102 to 108 mole taken with the SRC 48-inch Schmidt disappearance. This will be available on Dr C. Townes gave his Invited Dis cules/cm3), dimensions, velocities and telescope at Siding Spring and 606 the notice board in the mai n coffee These photographs taken by Mariner 9 were supplied by Professor C. Sagan, turbulent motions, and temperatures. prints from red plates (098-04) taken course at the Great Hall last night. He lounge . Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Laboratory for Plan etary Studies, Usually, these clouds are prevented with the ESO lm Schmidt telescope The scientists say that because of discussed ' Interstellar molecules'. Corn ell University , U.S.A. Nix Olympica, the largest of the volcanic constructs While four important diatomic mole from rigid collapse primarily by their on La Silla, Chile. the relatively large inclinations of the known in the solar system. It is about 500 km across and about 30 km high. cules have been known in interstellar turbulent motions, but are quite non- Glass positives of the original plates four brightest asteroids to the eliptic , space for some time, the discovery of uniform and are breeding grounds for will be made in Australia and Chil e and lunar occultations of these objects are microwave lines of polyatomic mole condensations and new stars, conden all atl as prints will be made in the ESO rare, especiall y in conditions as fav cules, beginning in ] 968, stimulated sations whose dynamics and behaviour Sky Atlas Laboratory in Geneva. ourable as they are being predicted for intensive study of m olecular pheno can be revealed to some extent by An invitation to subsc ribe to the this event. mena in interstellar cl ouds, and has led their molecular microwave emission. atl as was sent to all maj or obse rvatories The sightings will be nearl y central to the rapid discovery of many mole Molecular spectra also are yielding sub at the beginning of the year and as a for New Zealand so conditions sh ould cular species. The 25 molecul es which stantial information about the relative result of the interest aroused, the first be sim ilar in both the North and South h ave so far been found in interstellar abundances of isotopes of the common edition has been alm ost completely Islan ds. In Australia, conditions will space include ones as complex as elements, and hence of the past nuclear taken up . vary markedly with a considerably acetaldehyde and cyanoace tylene, and p rocessing to which interstellar matter For further info rmation about the longer duration nearer the northern other organic forms which have long has been subjected. To a first approxi atlas, please mak e inquiries in the geographical limit. been taken as appropriate starting mation the relative isotopic abundances Bookshop in room T7. If enough observations can be made, points for the synthesis of life. These of 0, C, N , and Sin interstellar ma tter the University is hoping to gain a more molecul es are closely associated with turn out to be rather similar to those accurate idea o f the size of Ceres and dust grains in dark interstellar clouds, fo und on earth, but some differences possibly discover, for the first time, its grains which protect them from dis- are beginning to be apparent. true shape. sociating in ultra-violet radiation and Improved equipment and future According to the Royal Greenwich which , probably along with ion-mole work offers som e provision for the use Observatory, there will not be anothe r cule reactions, are important in their of m olecular microwave spectra to occultation of one of the first four formation examine the chemistry and nuclear minor planets until July 1975 when Molecular excitation in interstell ar history of other galaxies. Pallas will be involved.

Series of collapse features, probably excavated by high velocity winds. The peak winds on Mars are estimated to have velocities of at least half the speed of sound. Palmer f ound the local competition too strong to take winning honours. A keen athlete in his home country, Ephemerides Dr Palmer has been running up to 15 For most of his time at th e Assembly, km each day. This, he claims, has not lt is very useful to many to be able solar system, star catalogues or lists of Dr P.E. Palmer has been involved in been unusual for he keeps in practice to know where and under what con reduced observati ons are available. The astronomical interests, but each morn in Chicago and runs regularly for the ditions ephemerides of bodies in the ln ternationallnformation Bureau on ing and some afternoons of last week university track club. In his y ounger Astronomical Eph emerides which was he took time off to get in training for days, Dr Palmer competed in national created by !AU three years ago under the N.S. W. 25 km road championship. collegiate events but modestly claims the auspices of Commission 4 , has This took place on Saturday but Dr 'n ever with outstanding success. ' already been circulating this kind of information to about one hundred and Grubb Parsons fifty observatories, institutions or indivi Astronomical dual astronomers. The particulars are given on information cards that are Telescopes distributed freely to all those interested (seventy seven cards have been issued so far). lf you wish to be put on the mailing list or if you have data that could be of interest to others, please contact Dr B. Morando (Box No. 4027) , director of the Bureau, here at Sydney during the General Assembly , or write to the following address: Th e Martian north polar cap made of some still-disputed combination of C02 and H O frost. The temperature is about 140° absolute. Grubb Dr B. Morando , 2 Parsons Bureau International d' lnformation sur les Ephémérides Astronomiques, Newcastle upon Tyne · England NE6 2YB 3 rue Mazarine 75006 Paris F rance. The very

STC-Cannon Components Pty. Ltd. latest Moorebank Avenue, Liverpool N.S.W. 2170 Early astronomy in Australi a - 7 • An open meeting on numerical data Mrs Colleen Sparks (left) and Mrs Dianna Coulman with one of the displays of arranged by members of the Working Suppliers of special purpose Australia does not have a long history of European settlem ent, but for a large Australian wildflowers in the !AU coffee lounge. part of that history, astronomy has played a part. A telescope in readin ess for the Group on Numerical Data is to be held multiplier photo tubes for a broad range of applications Transit of Venus, 1874, at the Melbourne University. (Photo: Courtesy A ustralian this afternoon, sessions c and d, in room National Library) T l 5 on the 7 th fl oor. All interested Behind the scenes lAU participan ts are invited. • Organ Recital, Great Hall , 1330 Two years ago a women's committee One aspect of the women's work Tuesday 28 August comprising Mesdames W. N. Christian has been the arranging of fl owers in • Commission 28 will hold a final sen, R . Hanbury Brown (secretary), the coffee lounge each day , and the session for reports from observatories R. Giovanelli and J .P. Wild, started to display of Australian wildflowers h as on Wednesday 29 August, session a work out the best ways they could not only been admired but the women (9 .15 a.m .) in room LTS. Greetings to the IAU, Fifteent h cope with behind-the-scene organisa have been deluge d wi th questions General Assembly tion to look after 150 invited women about them . ESSCO, leading manufacturer of guests who would be attending the !AU Orga nised by Mrs Coral Loughhead • Australian honoured large radio antennas specially Assembly with their husbands. and Mrs Coulman, the wildflowers The Wo rking Group on Lunar designed for millimeter wave Later they co-opted three more, which have included wara tahs, banksias, Nomenclature , Commission 17, has lengths. Installation completed Mesdames R. Bray, D. Coulman and a native rose-wattle and boronia have recommended that a crater be named at Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the MacKenzie University; others J. Davis, each of whom in turn asked ht to Sydney from Woy in honour of J ohn Tebbutt (1834- been broug underway at Guadal ajara, Spain, for more volunteers to assist them with Woy while all the women h ave been 19J 6), a distinguished Australian for the Instituto Geografico and various responsibilities. robbing their own gardens to keep up amateur astronomer. Tebbutt's work, Helsinki, Finland for the Tech The result has been that the guests a plentiful supply of other bloom s. which ranged over many fields, such as nical University of Helsinki. have enjoyed a full programme during Each woman guest was presented comets, asteroid positions, nebulae, Computer-controlled pointing accurate to wi t hin 3 seconds of their Sydney stay and h ave had a with a small pot m ade by Mrs Arthur and novae, is ge nerally recognized to arc. Large, protective radomes. chance to see aspects of li fe in Aust Higgs and where the guests were stay have been of professional quality . The For details write ESSCO, Old ralia which might not otherwise have ing in the University colleges, these crater selected , previously known as Powder Mill Road, Concord, been available had they been left to were in their room s for them on arrival Picard J, lies at longi tude + 53.5, lati Mass., U.S.A. 01742. their own devices. filled with fl owers. tude + 0 .5 . Pr inted by Sou thw ood Press Pt y Lim ited . 22 Steam M i ll Street Sy dney Published daily for the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Sydney, Australia. 21-30 August 1973

Wednesday 29Augus t

Early stages of the Universe Astrometryls future ... Dr Bart Bok reports In his invited discourse last night, must rely entirely on general relativity, During the week of 12 August, IAU replaced by FK5. Gliese reported that in the South Polar Cap. The present Dr D.W. Sciama assumed that the which tells them that the universe must Symposium No. 61 on New Problems 150 good new catalogues of position plan is to include in FK5 all observa microwave background does have a have had a singularity at some earlier in Astrometry , with 65 in attendance have become available since 1950 and tions to be made up to 1975 and issue black body spectrum (adding that we time (or times). met at the Westos Motor Hotel in these must obviously be incorporated FK5 about 1980. There will be 3000 still badly need satellite observations A further important property of the Perth, Western Australia. Walter Fricke in FK5. We require first of all individual to 5000 stars in the Supplement. at wavelengths below the expected at early stages of the universe can be de was the chairman of the Scientific corrections to positions and to proper The needs of radio astrometry and about one millimetre).lt was also duced from the observed isotropy of Organizing Committee. S. Vasilevskis motions of the stars in FK4, and we of positions and motions relative to assumed that this background was the microwave background, which is was the Vice-Chairman, and W. Gliese need urgently a supplement to include galaxies will receive special attention. thermalised by interaction with the good to 0.1 per cent. This tells astron and C.A. Murray were the secretaries; fainter stars. The principal difficulties 3. Radio Astrometry general matter content of the times omers that the universe itself has been B.J. Harris was in charge of local continue to be in the zones of declina A new baby has burst forth full - denser than it is to-day; the correspon isotropic to this precision, at least back arrangements. tion south of -35°, but the situation grown upon the astometric scene : ding age of the universe would have to t he time when the background was There obviously is a need to review for the south has changed radically radio astrometry' Present at Perth were been about 300 years. It would be last scattered, that is, back to when the now the problems of the accepted during the past decade. When FK4 was C.M. Wade, B. Elsmore, C.C. Counsel possible to extrapolate further back in age of the universe Jay between 107 fundamental reference system of star prepared, we had only the positions and man and several other radio astronom 8 time if the helium in the universe had a and 5 x 10 years (this range corres positions and proper motions. The motions from the Cape Observatory in ers to report on the successes to date. cosmological origin. The relevant nu ponding to the uncertainty in its being time-independent when the ex basic Fourth Fundamental Catalogue Union of South Africa to depend upon. Very dependable positions for radio clear reactions would have occurred at present density). pansion is adiabatic)'? (2) Why was the (FK4) has been the refe rence catalogue The U.S . Naval Observatory has finish sources, with precisions in α and in δ an age of about 100 seconds, when the This picture of the early stages of early Universe so isotropic'? (3) How for the past 10 years. It needs up-dating ed making 125,000 observations of of ± 0". 1 and higher, are now available material density was about 3 x 102 5 the universe gave rise to at least three can the initial singularity (or singulari and especially it should be made more southern stars with equipment at El for close to 100 radio sources, spread times greater than the present density, important problems: (1) What is the ties) be eliminated? Possible solutions readily useable in discussions of posi Leoncito Station in Argentina. We now evenly over the sky to about 40° and the temperature about 10 90 K. ultimate origin of the black body radi to these questions were disc ussed by tions and motions referred to faint have basic data from 45,000 absolute southern declination. The observations (This assumes that the black body ation field and why does it contain be Dr Sciama in the lecture, bu t it was galaxies and in making use of radio positions determined by the Chilean have been made to date principally 8 background was already present at that tween 10 and 109 photons for every emphasised that all these problems galaxies as basic reference points for and Soviet astronomers working to with the aid of connected element time). To go still further back scientists proton in the Universe (this quan tity were still quite open. fixing precision stellar positions. The gether at Cerro Calan Observatory near radio interferometers involving moder Organizing Committee had sensibly Santiago and an additional 110,000 ate base Jines of a few kilometers. picked six areas for special discussion . observations have bee n obtained at the Some work - promising ultimately objects in the southern sky should be 1 shall report briefly in each of these in Bickley Observatory in Wes tern Aust precisions of the order of ± 0". 005 - Observing in Chile taken soon after the installation of the the order of the Perth presentations ralia, made jointly by astronomers has also been done with the aid of Very Long Baseline Interferometers, During the last ten years, astronomers Since 1962, the number of telescopes primary mirror. Other standard instru 1. Reference systems from Hamburg and from Perth. All some of them intercontinental. Abso from many parts or the world have on Cerro Tololo has increased impress ments such as photometers and a Casse 2. Southern hemisphere groups agree that large corrections The FK4 Catalogue needs to be should be made to the FK4 positions lute values for the declinations can be become familiar with the dark clear ively. The largest telescope now opera grain camera and spectrograph are now fo rmed from the measurement of pre skies of the Chilean Andes. From there, ting is a 1.5 metre Ritchey-Chrétien being fabricated and are expected to be cise radii for the daily circles described a truly spectacular view is obtained of reflector which features a wide 1°.5 ready for use at the same time that the by the radio sources, and differences that part of the Universe which can only field for direct photography. This in telescope itself is completed. in right ascensions can also be readily be studied from the southern hemi strument also incorporates a large Current research interests at Cerro measured which is especially important sphere. To take advantage of the special Coudé spectrograph. There are a num Tololo tend to concentrate on the since long arcs can be measured as pre opportunities for astronomical research ber of smaller telescopes. The 90-cm fie lds of galactic and extra-galactic cisely as short arcs (differences of in Chile, a number of national groups reflector is used for photometric and research. These are especiall y profitable time!). The zeropoints of ri ght ascen have built and equipped new observa spectroscopic work at its Cassegrain areas of investigation in the southern sion are found either from observations tories there. These are all situated in the focus. There are two 40-cm reflectors hemisphere at present. The availability of positions of radio stars (Algol, {3 climatically favourable zone, several used primarily for photometry. In add of new telescopes and improved instru- Lyrae and P Cygni are on the list and hundred kilometers in extent, north of tion, the University of Michigan's mentation have made possible signifi more are promised!), or by referring Santiago, the Chilean capital. In this Curtis Schmidt telescope and a 60-cm cant studies of fa int stars and galaxies the radio positions of optically identi zone, the Andes come quite close to the reflector of the Lowell Observatory which previously were beyond reach. fied compact galaxies with radio sea and with the nearby dry Atacama are now operating on Cerro Tololo. At However, the most exciting times are emission, and of quasars, to FK4 desert and the cold Humboldt oceanic the present moment, the 1-metre tele yet to come when the new large reflec- calibrated positions. current, there are many mountains in scope of Yale University is being in tors now being built in Australia and To make possihl e the effective use the area on which observing conditions stalled at the Tololo summit. The Chile are pointed at the sou thern skies. of the radio positions already measured, of the very highest quality are found. major project now underway is, how It is fair to expect a whole series of or about to become available, optical One such site which is now in an ever, the completion of the 4-metre astronomical breakthroughs to follow, advanced stage of development is that telescope. This telescope is identical in comparable in magnitude and scope to The summit of Cerro Tololo on a clear night looking south towards the 4-metre astronomers must provide (FK4 and of the Cerro Tololo ln ter-American design to the one recently brought into those which have resulted from the telescope dome. During the exposure of several hours duration, the stars made FK5 Supplement) high calibre posi- Observatory. This Observatory is oper operation at the Kitt Peak National great telescopes of the north. long arcs about the south celestial pole. tions for many optically identified radio galaxies and especially for all ated as an observing facility by a group Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. The radio stars. Furthermore we obviously of 12 United States universities under a dome for the Cerro Tololo telescope need a system of faint standards (V = contract with the National Science was completed in 1972 and the tele- 16 to 19 more or less) for stars near Foundation. The initial site survey for scope mounting is now being erected. ltapetinga Radio Observatory radio galaxies. This will be done soon! the Observatory was begun in 1959 by The large Cer-Vit mirror is still being The ltapetinga Radio Observatory , very light, and temperature variation water vapour sources were already Once again, the sou tl1ern hemi Dr Jurgen Stock. In 1962, the Cerro polished in Tucson and current plans operated by the Centre of Radio effects on the structure are minimized done, and this constitutes another im sphere is being discriminated against : Tololo site, 2,200 metres above sea call for its acceptance and testing later Astronomy and Astrophysics from - not being observed, actually, in portant research directive for the the radio interferometers that have level and about 50km south east of the this year. The first observations with Mackenzie University (CRAAM), Sao tests performed. The temperature in ltapetinga radio telescope. been most effective to date have been coastal town of La Serena , was finally the new telescope are expected to be Paulo, Brazil , has recently put in opera side the radome can still be raised, The ltapetinga radio telescope is a in the northern hemisphere (Cambridge, decided upon for future development. made during the latter part of 1974 tion a 13.7-m millimetre-wave precis avoiding dew condensation in humid project supported by Brazilian govern England and Greenbank, West Virginia). Obse rvations had a! ready begun there and the telescope should be operating ion radiotelescope, inclosed in a 23-m evenings. Exceptionally good pointing . ment research agencies. It is one of the This situation must be remedied with on a trial basis a year before with a smoothly and be in routine use within radome. It is the first instrument of and tracking accuracies have been ob largest millimetre-wave instruments minimum delay, for we stand much to small 40-cm telescope. This 40-cm a year after that. The 4-metre telescope this kind in the southern hemisphere , tained - the antenna altazimuth yet built, and provides the southern lose by neglec ting once again the telescope is stil l being used today for wi ll certainly provide a major impetus and prese nts a number of unique mount being driven on line by a small hemisphere with an important tool for southern hemisphere at this early stage. research work on stars brighter than to t he research activity at Ce rro Tololo. technical features. computer. The absence of winds or radio observations at wavelengths not One of the great things that devel twelfth magnitude. Dr. Stock became The first instrument for the new tele The antenna has been originally severe temperature distortions keeps yet explored in this part of the sky, the first director of the new Observatory scope, a prime focus camera, has conceived to be operated inside a the system performance uniform any for continuum works, and for molecu oped from the m eeting at Perth was and played a large part in its early already been completed and first photo space frame radome with good effi time of the day, and any season of the lar spectral resea rchers. that it brought together the optical and the radio astometrists - who rea development. graphs of some of the many spectacular ciency at K-band. Its structure is then year . The system has been used mostly lize that one cannot succeed without at 22.2 GHz, showing no effect of the the other. This item will be continued tomorrow. Ea rly astronomy in Australia - 8 surface errors on the antenna efficiency. 1t can be used with acceptable effi Australia does not have a long history ofEuropean settlem ent, but for a large part of that history, astro nomy has played a ciency at frequencies up to 100 GHz part. The Sy dney Observatory was built in the early days of the settlement of the colony of New South Wales. This picture, - and CRAAM will complete this year taken in 1892, shows the observatory as it was then but its exterior appearance has not altered significantly throughout two other receivers, for I 0 GHz and the y ears. (Photo: Courtesy Australian National Library) 48 GHz. The works recently done in The very the continuum were related to solar maps and studies of active regions, latest continuous measurements of radio sources of small angular sizes both galactic and extra-galac tic, and exten • Commission 48 (high energy astro- ded investigations of tropospheric physics). Speakers at the session on effect on radio projec tion in the K- The ltapetinga 13. 7-m radio tele Wednesday afternoon (1415, Room band. With the use of a provisional scope, inside a 23-m radome, for mm- LT8) will include M.P . Savedoff, and simplifie d spectral receiver, several waves, recently installed near the town F. Drake, L.E. Peterson, R.C. Catura, successful obse rvations of celestial ofA tibaia, São Paulo, Brazil. D.G. Wentzel and F. Meyer.

• High-speed optics · Sturdy design · Collapsible for easy transport 21 em · Aperture ratio f/4.7 · Wide field of 4.6° · Two-stage motor drive in both axes · Handpaddle · Binocular viewer ZEISS · Right ascension scale · Tracking telescope Astro) · Darkfield illuminated reticule Enquiri es: Camera CARL ZEISS PTY LTD Box 147 Camperdown 2050 SYDNEY NSW Phone:514378

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ZEISSPrinted by Southwood Press Pt y L imited . 22 Steam M ill Street Sydney