THE discovery of a new radio phenomenon — emission of mysterious radio noise from sunspots — is announced by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The radio noise is heard only from time to time but had been noticed as being particularly intense during the last few days when the Astronomer Royal reported that there is now clearly visible on the Sun’s face the biggest group of sunspots observed since 1926.

Work on the subject began as far back as 1936, when Sir Edward Appleton … analysed reports from a number of wireless amateurs about a curious “hiss”….

From their reports he concluded that the noise was due to emission of radio waves from sunspots areas on the Sun’s disc. He also concluded that the Sun’s emission on 10 metre wavelengths was increased 100,000 times at the time the hissing noise was heard on the earth.

[Meanwhile, it was reported that] in Khushab the League candidate, Nawab Mumtaz Mohammad Tiwana, is reported to have gained a lead of several thousand votes against his rival Premier Khizr Hayat Khan. In all urban constituencies League’s opponents are sure to forfeit securities.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2021

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