Heat-, light-emitting body may appear today

Officials are cautioning area residents not to be startled today about the possible appearance overhead of a luminous body of spectral class G2, luminosity class V. Although internal nuclear fusion causes this astronomical body, known in the scientific community as “the sun,” to emit heat and a yellowish light, it is not considered dangerous to human health as long as exposure is limited.

In fact, officials indicate that until recent times, “the sun” was regularly visible from the ground in New Hampshire, even without the use of special instruments.

However, the luminous body has been obscured for so long by atmospheric phenomena, including clouds, rain and an all-pervading funk, that most people have forgotten what it looks like.

Should the atmospheric phenomena continue, data-minded residents can participate in a new program organized by the University of New Hampshire with the National Weather Service, which uses backyard observations from around the country to issue weather warnings.

New Hampshire is now one of 45 states in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. Precipitation data is uploaded to a Web site (www.cocorahs.org) and used to create real-time meteorology maps.

Among other things, these are entertaining to look at while awaiting the rumored appearance of spectral class G2, luminosity class V objects.

– DAVID BROOKS