24 HIRKELAND. THE NORWEGIAN AURORA POLARIS EXPEDITION, IQO2 1903. 



On the whole, however, the aurora in Dyra Fjord also, is seen far more frequently in the north 

 than in the south. In this particular, it does not quite seem to carry out the current theory as to 

 the position of the auroral zone being to the south of Iceland. 



THE AURORAL STATION IN SPITSBERGEN. 



8. The station was situated on the Axel Islands in Belsund, West Spitsbergen. The expedition was 

 stationed, as the map shows, (Fig. 18), at the southern end of the largest, most northerly island (Hoved- 

 een). The astronomical pillar near the dwelling-house has a latitude of 77 41' 21,5" N., and a longitude of 

 I45o' E., equivalent to o hrs. 59 min. 20 sec. by Greenwich mean time. 



The head of the station was NILS RUSSELTVEDT, assistant at the Meteorological Institute in Christiania; 

 and there was only one permanent assistant, namely, H. HAGERUP, an electrotechnicist. They went, 

 however, with a hunting expedition, under the command of Captain Hagerup from Tromse; and the 

 members of the latter expedition were bound to render ours whatever assistance they required. 



EQUIPMEMT. 



Magnetic Instruments. 



For a continuous record of the terrestrial-magnetic elements, 2 registering apparatuses were taken, 

 and 2 unifilar magnetometers of the Eschenhagen pattern by Otto Toepfer, Potsdam, and a Lloyd's balance 

 from Charpentier, Paris. 



For the absolute determination of the terrestrial-magnetic elements there was a Fox's circle, and a 

 Dover's inclinatorium, and also some requisites and spare parts. During his stay at the station, the 

 leader of the expedition made a special instrument for the determination of the declination. 



Meteorological Apparatuses. 



For meteorological uses there were 2 thermographs, i barograph, i mercurial barometer, i aneroid 

 barometer, 6 thermometers Vs C., 2 sling-thermometers, i large thermometer-screen, 4 minimum thermo- 

 meters, an anemometer Richard, and a cloud-measuring apparatus, besides books, forms, etc., some of 

 them placed at our disposal by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. A thermometer and thermograph 

 hut was made at the place, and a weather-vane. 



Electrical Apparatuses. 



For measurements of the dissipation of the electricity in the air, there was an Elster & Geitel's 

 electroscope, with accessories. 



Astronomical Instruments. 



For astronomical uses we had a theodolite and a large sextant belonging to the Astronomical Ob- 

 servatory in Christiania. There were also 2 chronometers, a Lacklan & Son No. 512 and an Arnold No. 152. 



Some instrument-maker's tools were also taken, as also guns and ammunition. To the vessel's 

 equipment belonged a camp forge and smith's tools, some carpenter's tools, etc. 



Russeltvedt left Christiania on the 3rd July - - taking with him the instruments and the tinned 

 provisions that were required --to join the other members of the expedition at Tromse, and to attend 

 to the equipment of the ship. The ship, which was to winter in Spitsbergen, was a large coaster 

 called "Jasai". 



When everything was arranged, the expedition started from Tromse on the 241)1 July, and arrived 

 in Spitsbergen on the 7th August. 



