Abstract
BRISTOL Observing Astronomical Society.—Report of observations made by the members during the period from July 7th to August 6th, 1870, inclusive:—Solar Phenomena.—Mr. Thomas G. E. Elger, of Bedford, reports that the sun spots observed in July exceeded in number those recorded during the previous month, but they were, with a few exceptions, small (less than 30″ in diameter), and although pretty equally distributed between the two hemispheres, those to the south of the sun's equator presented a remarkable contrast, both in type and size, to those observed to the north of it; the former, as in June, included some large scattered groups and moderately sized spots of the normal class, while the latter consisted chiefly of solitary specks without penumbræ, and clusters of minute black punctures which frequently assumed very grotesque configurations. A striking feature of the large groups observed during the early part of the month was an evident tendency either to close up or to become dissociated upon reaching a certain position on the disc—about half way between the E. limb and the centre. On the 25th one of the largest groups observed this year appeared at the E. limb; on the 28th it measured nearly 5′ in length, and consisted of a large preceding spot 1′ 10″ in diameter, followed by a straggling train of “wispy” penumbræ enclosing several small spots. This group dwindled away very rapidly after the 28th. Another large spot, about 50″ in diameter, was observed from July 13th—25th.
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Societies and Academies. Nature 2, 347–348 (1870). https://doi.org/10.1038/002347a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/002347a0