Show Y Dr H H. H R. R Christensen checks readings on gravity meter Research Project Housed At Snow A gravity meter has been in installed installed installed in- in stalled at Snow by the Lamont Lament Geological Observatory of Columbia University for re research research research re- re search into the properties of the earths earth's mantle Operation of the delicate electronic electronic electronic elec elec- device will be supervised by Dr H H. H R R. R Christensen Snow College physical science division chairman He said that the gravity meter is used In making observations of solid soUd earth tides These are movements in the earth caused bv by the attraction of the sun and the moon They are similar to the tides in the oceans According to D Dr Christensen the earth responds to the gravitational gravitational gravitational pull of the sun and the moon much as a football responds to air pressure when it is being inflated In other words the earth expands The maximum vertical expansion about six feet feet feet- occurs when the earth and the moon are in direct line The gravity meter which basically basically basically bas bas- consists of a weight on a sensitive spring records solid earth tides on a tape much as a seismograph records earth earth- quakes Dr Christensen explained that its records enable geophysicists to better determine the composition tion of the earth particularly the earths earth's mantle which is the layer between the earths earth's crust and its core The mantle has never been drilled into and scientists are not sure that material from it has ever reached the surface The gravity meter on the Snow campus is one of eight installed by the Lamont Lament Observatory at points from New York to Cali Cali- forma form a. a It is the only one in Utah Others in the West are at Denver and Reno We feel privileged to assist the Lamont Lament Observatory in conducting conducting conducting con con- ducting this research Dr Christensen said It is basic research in an area which science is just beginning to explore and no one can judge what knowledge these observations may develop or in what direction they may lead us as we seek sek for more morp Information concerning the na nature nature nature na- na ture of the universe |