Aside from the indirect effects here enumerated astronomical influence upon weather is practically of no consequence. The moon, about which most misconceptions of this character center, is without doubt the direct cause of ocean and atmospheric tides, and there are places along certain coasts where ocean tides produce periodic tidal breezes. When it is stated that the sum total of all the heat energy received from all heavenly bodies (not including the sun) is so slight that one of the most delicate of instruments is required for its measurement, it is apparent that their influence upon our weather is negligible. It should be remembered, in this connection, that heat is the fundamental force determining weather-the form of energy outweighing all others combined. Meteorologists, however, are now unanimous in the opinion that the influence of the moon, the planets and the stars (not including the sun) is practically nil, when terrestrial weather is considered. Moreover, the ancient science of astrology still has a few disciples among the uninformed, as far as the weather is concerned. The textbooks in geography still used in many of the common schools frequently combine a brief discussion of astronomy and meteorology in the introductory chapter, thus laying the foundation for considerable confusion in the minds of the children. Manifestations of these fallacies are seen in a great variety of ways, including long-range forecasting, the planting and the harvesting of crops, and various events in the husbandry of cattle during periods determined by phases of the moon, etc., all of these being examples of a belief in the relation of heavenly bodies and human affairs. The supposed influence of the moon, the planets or the stars is probably the most widespread of all popular misconceptions about the weather. No new facts will be presented-the aim simply being to make clear the fallacies underlying these misconceptions in terms of principles generally accepted by meteorologists and climatologists. It is the purpose of this paper to enumerate and briefly to discuss twenty-five of the more common of these misconceptions. While much is still to be learned about the atmosphere it is already possible to disprove many of these false notions. Meteorology, the science of weather, and climatology, the science of climate, have progressed slowly, and for this reason various misconceptions and superstitions concerning weather and climate have persisted even to the present time. Only a beginning has thus far been made in that direction. It is only during the past century, however, that any real progress has been made in a scientific knowledge of the weather, the influences to which it is subject, and the effects resulting therefrom.
Ever since man first appeared upon the earth the weather has been an ever-present influence-its changes have affected his actions as well as his very mode of life.
So commonplace a subject as the weather, therefore, needs no definition. Moreover, atmospheric air is itself one of the elements necessary to sustain human life. It is not unnatural that it should be of such general interest, since every man living upon the surface of the earth is influenced by this feature of his environment. THE weather is perhaps the most widely discussed of all topics of conversation.
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