Abstract
You have already illustrated in NATURE the aurora and electric storm of January 31. Though somewhat tardily, another drawing with a description of this fine display has found its way into my hands, of sufficient interest, I think, to be added to those already published. It comes from Mr. C. L. Prince, the well-known meteorologist of Crowborough Beacon, Tunbridge Wells, who says, “I inclose a photo of my sketch on a slate.1 I had a splendid sight of the aurora at about 9h. 15m. It soon became very hazy, but I saw it again at 11h. 15m., when I made the sketch (see drawing). The arch was exceedingly well defined, and extended about 80° along the horizon. At 11h. 20m. some more brilliant streamers shot up along the whole convexity of the arch, and the two patches of light became very tremulous, almost shifting a little from right to left; but I particularly noticed that they did not vibrate simultaneously, i.e. if one indicated motion the other was quiescent until the first had ceased to show excitement, and this action was alternating for nearly an hour. At 11h. 40m. the arch had much contracted, and by midnight had nearly faded away. The whole phenomenon was free from colour. I noticed a few small meteors. The night was quite calm; wind south-west.”
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CAPRON, J. The Aurora and its Spectrum. Nature 25, 53 (1881). https://doi.org/10.1038/025053a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/025053a0
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