The Aurora Borealis

Abstract

THERE was a magnificent auroral display last night (Sunday), which commenced at 10.45 P.M., and continued till 11.15. The streamers radiated from a point due N.W., there being no clouds in their vicinity, the colour was a deep red, and they extended far beyond the zenith. At 11.20 another display was seen, but at right angles to the previous one, and streamed across the zenith due N. and S. When the sun had set there was an accumulation of stratified clouds near the western horizon and quite horizontal, these gradually rose radially, having their centre situated a little north of that of the aurora; and at about 11.10 the uppermost radii passed into the field of the northernmost streamers, so that it became impossible for me to distinguish between them which was cloud and which was auroral. After the first appearance had faded away, the second was seen to proceed from these clouds upon the latter passing overhead, but did not last longer than fifteen minutes, by which time the radial clouds had become so dissipated as to lose their character, and, to me, were almost invisible. I may mention that this peculiarity in the clouds was noticed on Saturday evening (the 8th inst.) after sunset.