Aurora

Abstract

ON Sept. 11 I was at Kyle Akin (Skye). The day had been wet and stormy, but towards evening the wind fell and the sky became clear. About 10 P.M. my attention was drawn to a beautiful auroral display. No crimson or rose tint was to be seen, but a long low-lying arc of the purest white light wa formed in the north, and continued to shine with more or less brilliancy for some time. The arc appeared to be a double one, by the presence of a dark band running longitudinally through it. Occasional streamers of equally pure white light ran upwards from either end of the bow. The moon was only a day old, but the old landscape was lighted up as if by the full moon; and the effect of Kyle Akin lighthouse, the numerous surrounding islands, and the still sea between, was a true thing of beauty, forming as it did a quiet contrast to the more brilliant but restless forms of auroræ generally seen. I particularly noticed a somewhat misty and foggy look about the brilliant arc, giving it almost a solid appearance. The space of sky between the horizon and the lower edge of the arc was of a deep indigo colour, probably the effect of contrast.