Astronomy. 129 
gia.) —There was an unusually brilliant Sovins: of the Aurora Borealis 
at this place on the evening of the 29th of Sept. 1851. It commenced 
at evening twilight and continued until 11 0 -clock at night. The hazy 
luminous are from which the streamers proceeded, extended from the 
north to the northeast point of the horizon, embracing an amplitude of 
45° or 50°. ‘The streamers were observed to shoot up to an altitude of 
40°, The color varied from —_ -red to white. As far as my recol- 
— extends, it was the most magnificent exhibition of the phenom- 
have ever witnessed in this latitude (33° 58’). [ notice that it 
bn seen as far south as St. Simon’s Island in lat. 31°; and it is proba- 
that it was visible as far south as Key West. 
6. Account of a Reflecting T slsseone constructed by Mr. Josiah 
Lyman, eye a ., (sent for publication in this Journal, by Prof. 
ALC Caswe sh Mr. J. Lyman} - nefpers the cademy of 
Leno ray Mase, h as recently manufactured a Reflecting Telescope, (fin- 
ished in June last 5) of re following dimensions, and description. The 
focal length is 16 feet. Aperture 9} inches in the clear. The tube is 
Composed of thick Russia iron, painted and vasuistecds ; the parts being 
the lbet viewed,) and the eye- -tube on the ape The lower end 
astrument has attached to it a frame-work, terminating in n Ys, a 
resting upon two pivots at the ends of a horizonta I axis. In the center 
this axis is a socket working upon a vertical axis, soy He sige the 
Allow o of crery sibapeary motion with cmattvatin and eradied aa 
out any cramping of the parts. With this mounting, the instrument 
may be either portable or stationary. In the latter case, declination 
oo eo’ 
ase Prof. — in sending the above for this geen writes to the Editors as 
$:—The fol owing account of the a =< constructed by Mr. 
f Lenox, .. has been plac y , wit. = a that if I 
Approved the same I would forward it for pubes’ in your J 
of simi the recent meeting of the American Association at ‘hans, a agra 
wise wa = the inted to examine and L 
mber, was -s re r. 
— tate of the weather aveenie? their testing its ore 
ar «esa of any of the heavenly bodies, and consequently no report 
ined the mounting and mechanical adjustments of the instru- 
be rn ire happy to ae Sue d ak "they appear to me to be very goo ood. The mount- 
Fk and mechanism to secure steadiness, smoothness, and sufficient free- 
of motion, The te testimony of Prof, Alexander as to its performance on 
“¥, Stars is very satisfactory. ; 
_ Mr, J; Sit es great credit Bipliver: = Se Sarwan! hoo) toa 
advan issue. His telesco , in point of o power, is, , much 
on of any thing heretof ore achieved in this country. It is no small. matter 
rate dogpusttucted an , which, Some favorable cmmeeanaton will sepa- 
The (ble stars distant from east by no more than half a one 
Prt ent, wll and encourageme and I hope a geome a aaa ee 
Vol. XIII, No, 37—Jan,, 1852. 17 
