1832] WKITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. 65 



impulse of the westerly breeze which was blowing at the 

 time. A luminous band was at one time extended across 

 the heavens, at right angles to the meridian, and 30° south 

 of the zenith. This had at times an oscillatory motion 

 in a north and south direction. It passed near the moon, 

 around which was one of the large halos. The sky had been 

 previously clear. The converging rays appeared to meet at 

 the star d Leonis." 



By computing the position of S Leonis for 9 o'clock on 

 the evening of the 19th, its altitude was found to be 70° 25', 

 and its azimuth 11° 27' east. A small error in time how- 

 ever would make a great difference in the azimuth. The 

 dip of the needle at New York is 73°, and the variation 

 probably between 4° and 5°, as it is 6f ° at Albany. 



The aurora was also seen by Dr. William Campbell, at 

 Cherry Valley. He describes it as very brilliant, anS as- 

 suming a variety of forms; at one time appearing as a stu- 

 pendous arch, crossing the heavens from east to west; at 

 another, radiating from a point south of the zenith. The 

 Rev. Mr. Thummel, of the Hartwick Seminary, at his resi- 

 dence in Otsego county, likewise observed the same aurora. 

 He describes it as radiating in every direction from a nu- 

 cleus near the zenith, which appeared clear and compact for 

 some time, when it began to move, and darted forth rays in 

 every direction like crystals. 



March 6, 1832. 

 Since the foregoing was communicated to the Institute, 

 several particulars have been learned in reference to the sub- 

 ject, which, on some accounts, are deemed interesting. The 

 Annual Meteorological Reports of the different Academies 

 in the State of New York, to the Regents of the University, 

 have been received; and from them it appears that the au- 

 rora of the 19th of April was visible over the whole extent 

 of the State, and probably considerably west of it. It is 

 described as being very brilliant at Lewiston on the Niagara 

 river, extending high, and farther to the south than any be- 

 fore observed. In the eastern part of the State, it was seen 

 at most of the Academies along the Hudson, and at Eras- 



