3
which will make no difference in the final argument. The results are for the exact position as given in this Section.
G.M.T.
Zenith Distance
True Bearing
08 05
90° 26′.8
248° 24′
0810
91 21 .0
247 37
0815
92 14 .9
246 48
From these results it can be seen by inspection that Saturn was lower in the sky than Venus, and since it was much fainter (Venus, magnitude -3.3; Saturn, magnitude +0.7), Venus would be more obvious and Saturn either invisible or automatically neglected.
6. ALTAZIMUTH COORDINATES OF ANTARES:
Assumed Position: Latitude 39°S
Longitude 174° 10′E
No allowance for dip or refraction
G.M.T.
Zenith Distance
True Bearing
0800
71° 07′.2
250° 57′
0805
72 02 .4
250 16
0810
72 57 .3
249 35
0815
73 51 .9
248 54
Since Antares was so much higher in the sky it would seem unlikely that attention could have altered from Venus to this star. Also the still fainter brightness of this star compared with Saturn is an important factor tending to dismiss the star as a suspect.
7. COMMENTS:
7.1 Astronomical phenomena which may immediately be dismissed from consideration are, meteors, novae, comets and the Moon.
7.2 Meteorological observation balloons may be immediately dismissed, and this has been confirmed by enquiries from the Director of Meteorological Services.
7.3 There can be no question of other aircraft giving this effect, otherwise it would have been stated either by Civil Aviation or the R.N.Z.A.F. Further more it could only have been a craft on a similar course, when the green starboard light would have been an obvious identification.
7.4 Vapour trails observed in Wellington on the same evening have been confirmed by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff as having been produced by jet aircraft at 30,000 feet, and therefore have no connection with the phenomena under consideration.
7.5 The only astronomical objects which can be considered are Venus, Saturn and Antares. Of these, for the reasons noted in Sections 5 and 6, only Venus can be considered.