The Aurora of Nov. 9th and 10th

Abstract

As none of your correspondents who described the brilliant auroræ of Nov. 9th and 10th last week, speak of their being seen earlier than from 7 to 10 P.M., it may be interesting to note that in the Midland Counties the latter was visible at a considerably earlier period of the evening. On the evening of the 10th I was walking from Reading in Berkshire to Caversham in Oxfordshire, from 5.45 to 6.5 P.M. During the whole of that time I had before me the steady white light of the coming aurora, extending perhaps 25° to 30° in width, and 20° in height, its centre being immediately beneath Polaris. The appearance was exactly that of the departing twilight in a clear winter sky, for which, indeed, but for its position and the time of the evening, it would have been mistaken. As I noticed the light immediately on leaving the railway station above the lights of the town, I have little doubt that it had been visible since sunset. I had no opportunity of watching its progress after 6.5 P.M.; up to that time there were no coloured streamers, nothing but the white light I have described.