On the relation of the direction of the wind to the age of the Moon, as inferred from observations at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, from 1840 November to 1847 December

Abstract

The author states, that in a voyage to Shetland, in the year 1849, he heard allusions to the belief entertained generally by Norwegian seamen, that a northerly wind may always be expected about the time of new moon. The expression of this belief was so positive, and the implication of the interests of the persons entertaining it was so distinct, that it appeared to him extremely probable that there was some physical foundation for it. At the first convenient opportunity he therefore took measures for discussing, with reference to this question, the directions of the wind at the Royal Observatory, during a period of rather more than seven years, as ascertained from the records of Osier’s self-registering anemometer. He extended the research so far as to enable any one to judge whether there is any probable relation between any direction of wind and any age of the moon. The collection and summation of the numbers was effected under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Glaisher; and great pains were taken to establish such checks on the operation that error is considered to be almost impossible.