AURORAL OBSERVATIONS AT WINTER QUARTERS, CAPE ADARE, 1011. 

 1. SCOPE AND METHOD OF OBSERVATION. 



The auroral observations at Cape Adare, the Winter Quarters of the Northern 

 Party during the winter months of 1911, were in charge of Major R. E. Priestley, 

 M.C., R.E. As the whole party comprised only six persons, it was not expected that 

 a complete programme of auroral observations would be carried out during the whole 

 of the winter months. Notwithstanding the small number of persons available 1m 

 observations, these are in some measure more complete than those of the Main Party, 

 and bear eloquent testimony to the zeal with which the whole party, including the 

 seamen, applied themselves to the scientific work, as the duty of keeping a continuous 

 watch for aurora during the night was no light task for so small a party. 



The scheme of the observations contemplated regular two-hourly records of the 

 aurora during the dark hours, and this programme was carried out for the period 

 May 26th to July 31st, after which date sledging commenced. Observations were, 

 however, made both before and after these dates, when practicable. In addition to 

 the observations at the even hours, numerous observations (with sketches) were made 

 between these hours, particularly when the aurora was of a striking nature ; the 

 records also include periods of an hour or more, when observations were taken and 

 sketches made every few minutes. As in the case of the Cape Evans observations, 

 a note was made of the intensity and colour of the aurora ; the observations are more 

 complete, however, in that a sketch has been made to illustrate each note. As in tin- 

 case of the Main Party, regular observations between 10 and 16 hours are rare. The 

 regular observations were almost always made at the exact even hours. 



Except where specifically stated to be otherwise, all Tables refer to the period 

 above mentioned (i.e. May 26th to July 31st, when the observations were taken 

 regularly every two hours), all observations during this period being included. 



In all that follows, unless specifically st .ted to be otherwise, the times are local 

 mean time, and the directions are astronomical. 



The position of the Cape Adare station is Latitude 71 18' S., Longitude 170 9' E., 

 local noon occurring therefore about 40 minutes after noon time of the 180th meridian. 

 Hours are numbered from 1 to 24. 



As a sample description of a typical aurora at Cape Adare, of inferior brilliancy, 

 the following observations of the 14th July are given : 



At 20 hours, a long glow in the form of a vivid green arch, was seen from 

 N.W. to N. 30 E., where it dipped behind Cape Adare, but a series of curtains 

 doubled back towards the North from behind clouds to the E.N.E. At the 



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