Auroræ: Their Characters and SpectraCapron, J. Rand
History
Auroræ: Their Characters and Spectra
Capron, J. Rand
Auroras
Register. _Discovery Bay._—9 P.M. Observed an Aurora like a pale band of
light in the form of an arch whose centre was on the true meridian and
15° from the zenith. It shortly afterwards broke up into feathered edges,
their direction being a little to the eastward of the zenith. The arch
grew fainter, and shifted to the eastward of the meridian four points;
the left extremity of the arch faded away, and the right assumed the
shape of the folds of a curtain doubled over. The weather was clear and
calm. The display lasted upwards of 30 minutes.
A spectroscope, one of Browning’s 8-in. direct-vision, was directed
towards the Aurora, but the light was not sufficient to give any spectrum.
The temperature was -39°. Barometer 29·56 inches. No wind. Clouds stratus
2. Eight meteors were observed during the time the Aurora was visible.
February 14th. Register. _Discovery Bay._—At 2 A.M. a faint Aurora
passing across the heavens from S.E. to S.W. was observed, like an arch
of a pale colour. It lasted only a short time, and was very indistinct.
Temperature -47°. Barometer 30·44 inches. No wind or clouds.
Lieut. Aldrich. _Floeberg Beach._—2 A.M. A faint Aurora towards the S.W.
Weather calm. Cumulus-stratus clouds 3. Temperature -46°. 8 P.M. Faint
flashes of Aurora in the E. and S.W.
Lieut. Aldrich and Lieut. Parr. _Floeberg Beach._—11.50 P.M. A moderately
bright arch of Aurora extended from due N. to about S.S.W., where it
terminated close down to the horizon in a crook turned to the eastward.
In a few moments a streamer flashed from the end of the crook parallel
to the first and right across the heavens, its edges being quite sharp
and parallel to each other. A third streamer shot up a minute afterwards,
but did not extend more than 80° upwards. The streamers were visible for
a very short time, the first remaining longest. The second-named arch
gradually faded away till within a few degrees of the S.S.W. horizon, and
(still being a continuation of the crook) bent round to the eastward,
and towards the horizon, going on to what was left of the stump of the
third arc. A lateral motion to the eastward now began, the whole body
gradually turning round until it disappeared about due south. Stars were
visible through it at its brightest, but not very distinctly. This is
the most intense and variegated Aurora we have experienced, but scarcely
any colours were to be seen. Temperature -51°. Barometer 30·43 inches,
stationary. Calm weather. Clouds cumulus 1. Preceded and followed by calm
weather.
Meteorological Register. _Discovery Bay._—9.15 P.M. An Aurora was
observed to the southward, spreading out like a fan in separate ways.
It was faint. A few cirro-stratus clouds were visible, apparently
between the observer and the Aurora. It lasted about 40 minutes, and
then gradually faded away. Temperature -47°. Barometer 30·51 inches,
stationary. No wind. Clouds cirro-stratus 4.
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