OF THE AURORA BOREALIS. 15 



The year 1836 was also distinguished on the Eastern Continent for great auroras. 

 That of October -lSth was seen all over Europe. 1 



The year 1837 may be called the maximum year of the whole period ; for although 

 the number of auroras recorded in the Regents Report is not equal to that of 1836, 

 being only 50, while that of 1836 was 61, yet this year was distinguished above all 

 for three auroras of the first class, which occurred January 25th, July 1st, and 

 November 14th, while no other single year had hitherto presented more than one of 

 this class. The aurora of January 25th was for some time afterwards known among 

 our small corps of observers as the "magnificent." In many respects it resembled 

 that of November 17th, 1835, but its colors were brighter and more diversified, and its 

 columns were arranged with more symmetry around the magnetic pole, supporting a 

 canopy of unrivalled grandeur. My attention was first attracted to the aurora as early 

 as six o'clock, before the twilight was over. At this time the northern sky exhibited 

 a blush not unlike that of the fairest dawn. This was skirted on the east and west by 

 ill-defined columns of crimson light, which moved slowly from north to south. At 

 7 o'clock these began to send up streamers, all of which tended, as usual, to a com- 

 mon focus, situated a few degrees S. E. of the zenith. At 7 h. 10 m., the corona was 

 distinctly formed, embracing the Pleiades, which were nearly at its centre. At three 

 different times during the evening, the corona was dispersed and as often re-formed; 

 but the position of its centre at or near the pole of the dipping needle remained 

 invariable. Meanwhile, the twilight of the northern sky had moved slowly south- 

 ward, its boundary spanning the firmament from west to east in a well-defined zone, 

 until it left only a segment of the southern hemisphere, about 30° in altitude. 

 This portion of the heavens, thrown as it was into striking contrast with the illu- 

 minated parts of the sky, appeared of a dark slate color, and exhibited the interest- 

 ing spectacle of stars seeming to shine brightly through a stratum of black clouds. 



These phenomena exhibited various interesting evolutions until 15 minutes after 

 10 o'clock, when suddenly the meteor rallied all its forces. Innumerable spindles 

 of silvery lustre darted from the crimson folds of light that hung around the sky, 

 all pointing towards the common focus; and sheets of a thin vapor of mingled white 

 and red ilowed over them, and wreathed themselves around the same point in wavy 

 folds. A universal stillness reigned; and the ground itself now covered with snow, 

 which exhibited a delicate rosy tint, contributed to enhance the beauty of the scene. 

 It is obvious, also, to one that reflects on the position of the principal constellations 

 at that time, that a large part of all the brightest of the fixed stars were above the 

 horizon. Sirius and Procyon, Castor and Pollux, Capella and Aldebaran, were 

 arranged around the field in striking array, along with the planets Jupiter and 

 Mars, both at the period of their greatest splendor. So delicate was the auroral 

 covering, that the light of the stars was but little obscured by it. The cluster of 

 small stars in the head of Orion, when most enveloped, was distinctly visible; and 

 the two planets appeared through a dense mass of red vapor with seemingly aug- 

 mented splendor. In these various attributes of grandeur and beauty, the present 

 exceeded all former exhibitions of the aurora; but there were wanting the auroral 



1 BibliouVque Univers. for Oct., 183G. 



