Aurora

Abstract

A MAGNIFICENT aurora was observed here last night. I first detected quivering sheaves on the northern horizon about 5.40 G.M.T. About 5.47 a dull indigo base, on or against which “sheaves” and “streamers” were playing with great beauty, was noted, surmounted by an arch of light. Soon afterwards, sharply-defined “spines” and “spikes” of great brilliancy and in patches became developed, followed by five great tongues of light stretching towards the zenith. I especially noted streamers reaching towards Vega, and passing over Mizar in Ursa Major, and some of exceptional brilliancy to north-north-east. At 6.50 irregular horizontal belts of a dull indigo tint, alternated with horizontal tongues of light, the streamers having generally disappeared, except to north-north-east. At 8.6 p.m. a low indigo belt, surmounted by a bright golden band, fringed the horizon, o'ertopped again by belts of paler tints respectively, while detached brilliant streamers shot up fitfully towards Cassiopeia. At 11 p.m. auroral lights were still seen.