Abstract
As we approach the maximum activity of the sun, more and more interesting auroras occur. From my net of eight photographic stations in southern Norway, my assistants and I have in the last year got most interesting material, in particular from the auroras of April 20–21, 21–22 and October 16–17. On the two first nights, about 400 pictures were successful, among which is a series with the long base-line Oslo–Trondheim (391 km.). Of special interest were rays of sunlit auroras lying at the level 200–600 km. of the atmosphere, of which a spectrum on a panchromatic plate (Agfa ISS) was taken. This spectrum was measured by Mr. Harang, who found for the lines 6300 A., 5577 A. and 4278 A. the relative intensities 100, 100 and 55. A green aurora curtain gave, on the same plate and for the same lines, the intensities 32, 100 and 39. This enhancement of the red oxygen line was also observed for sunlit auroras by Currie and Edwards at Chesterfield during the polar year1, by Kosirev and Eropkin at Kirowsk (March 1935)2 and by Vegard and Tönsberg in October 19353 for the arcs of sunlit auroras. Flaming aurora was also observed which lay midway between Oslo and Trondheim. From both stations the motion was upwards, which showed that this really was the direction of motion of the auroral flames.
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References
Ter. Mag. Atmos. Elec., September 1936.
Poulkovo Astr. Circular, No. 18 (1936).
NATURE, 137, 778 (May 9, 1936).
NATURE, 123, 82 (Jan. 19, 1929).
Geofysuke Publikasjoner, 4, No. 7, 23.
The great enhancement of this line was observed that same night by Vegard, NATURE, 138, 930 (Nov. 28, 1936).
NATURE 1, 24, 263, (Aug. 17, 1929).
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STöRMER, C. Altitudes and Spectra of Red and Sunlit Auroras. Nature 139, 584 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139584a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139584a0
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