Geofysiske Publikasjoner utgitt av del Norske Videnskaps-Akademi i Oslo

Abstract

IT is fortunate for our knowledge of the aurora that, although the regions of most frequent aurorae are mainly polar seas or cold and sparsely populated lands, they border on the country of Norway. The population of Norway is small, less than half that of greater London, but the level of culture is high, and the intellectual activity and distinction are manifested in no branch of study more signally and appropriately than in auroral investigation. Much the greater part of our exact knowledge of aurorae is due to Norwegians, among whom, though many have made valuable contributions, two are pre-eminent, Birkeland and St0rmer. The generally accepted theory of aurorae, incomplete but successful in explaining a large range of facts, was originated by Birkeland, who supported his hypothesis by numerous experiments. The extent to which these bear on the actual terrestrial case is not always clear, however, whereas Stormer's mathematical development of Birkeland's theory gives incontestable proof of its soundness in essentials. But, in addition to their theoretical researches, both men have been great observers, and have organised important expeditions for auroral or magnetic investigation, or both, to regions within the Arctic circle.

Geofysiske Publikasjoner utgitt av del Norske Videnskaps-Akademi i Oslo.

Vol. 4, No. 7: Résultats des mesures photogrammétriques des Aurores boréales observées dans la Norvège méridionale de 1911 à 1922. Par Carl Størmer. Pp. 108 + 48 planches. (Oslo: A. W. Broggers Boktrykkeri A/S., 1926.) 12 kr.