MORE ON STAR CLOCKS

An article entitled 'How to Tell Time by the Stars' based on Helen Sawyer Hoqg's method appeared in the Sept.-Oct. 1982 newsletter. Since then another, and slightly different, method has come to light. This one comes from Terence Dick- enson, astronomy consultant to

CBC Radio's Quirks and Quorks, and seems to be a more foolproof sol- ution. Why not try it out some clear night this winter?

HOW TO READ THE STAR CLOCK:

Stand facing the North Star and imagine that it is exactly in the center of a laroe clock face with the numeral 12 directly above the North Star. The hand of the clock is a straight line leading from the two pointers of the Big Dipper to the North Star. I. Read the apparent time on the star clock to the nearest quarter hour. ' 2. To this number, add the number of months that have elapsed since the beginning of the year.

3. Take the number that you have as a result of the above, and double it. Subtract your answer from 28%. If your answer was larger than 28%, subtract it from 52%. The final answer you get should be your local time based on the 24 hour clock system. If Daylight Saving is in effect at the time, add an hour. With a little practice you should be able to read the star clock to within one quarter hour of accuracy.

Now let's work out the example shown in the illustration above. The date is June 15. The approximate time on the star clock face is 9 o'clock, or simply 9. Add the number of months since Jan.1 (5%). 9+5%=14% Double the result. 2x14%=29 Since 29 is more than 28%, we subtract it from 52%. 52%-29=23% 23% hours on the 24 hour clock system is the same as 11:15 P.M.

Horizon

NEWS AND NOTES (con't)

NATURE SLIDE CONTEST. Entries to the Nature Slide Contest must be submitted to Margaret Mallett by April 5th. Natural History Society members may enter up to ten slides, which should not have been entered in any prev1ous NHS contest.

PROVINCIAL SCIENCE FAIR AT U.P.E.I. Watch your newspaper for mere details about this worthwhile undertaking, and come and see what Island students have been accomolishinn in science this year.

WINTER SPARROWS. The lovely sketch of the sparrows puffed up against winter's cold is by Mrs. Gwen Fichaud of Charlottetown. Sincere thanks to Mrs. Fichaud for sharing it with us all in the newsletter.

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