56 Rev. C. 8. Lyman on the Auroral Bow of June, 1852. 
The position in the heavens of the bow of June Lith, 1852, 
was noted quite definitely by Mr. E. ©. Herrick at New Haven, 
and by Mr. Sereno Watson at East Windsor, Conn. It was also 
observed independently by Prof. Olmsted at New Haven, Mr. 
spe at East Windsor, and Prof. Brocklesby at Hartford; and 
as also seen at — Springfield, and numerous other places, 
bet “8 carefully obse ved. 
m the fact that pals a single bow was noticed at any place, 
shite ects rest of the sky was comparatively free from auroral 
light, it is safe to presume that the several observers saw the 
same identical bow. This presumption is strengthened by the 
fact that it was seen by all the observers at about the same time, 
and by some of them with certain similar characteristic features, 
particularly its manner of disappearance. On the supposition of 
identity also, the observations at New Haven, Hartford, and East 
Windsor give an unequivocal parallax, and a parallax that gives 
an altitude corresponding with the determinations of Dalton, 
Professors Olmsted and Twining, Prof. Challis and many others, 
who have made similar computations respecting different bows. 
These observatious have usually given an altitude ranging from 
100 up to 200 or 300 miles. Mr. Herrick from his own observa- 
tions at New Haven, and those of Mr. Watson at E. Windsor, 
computed the height of the bow of June 11th to be not less 
than 150 miles, as stated in this Journal, vol. xiv, p. 131. 
That others may judge of the soundness of this coneliidion 
as well as of some other inferences which the facts in this case 
seem to justify, the original observations are here given in ‘full 
as put in writing by those who made them. Those by Mr. Her- 
rick at New Haven are as follows. ; 
“ Friday, June 11th, 1852.—Evening: sky clear and pure. 
As early as 90 "clock, there was a strong general Auroral light in 
the north, through an amplitude of 120°+, with indistinct streaming 
20° or 30° high. 
coking out again about 9» 50™ N. H. m.s. time, I saw stretching 
from the easterly to the westerly part of the heavens, and passing the 
meridian a little south of the zenith, a continuous luminous streak of 
bow, about two degrees in breadth, (as Ms judged,) and having a bend 
southwardly near the meridian. There was. at this time only a bright 
general light along the N. horizon, witoge — The sky was 
exceedingly clear, and there was no other a indication which 
could be confounded with this bow. There was ~— one bow visibley 
and this, one was distinct, and moderately bright. The margins 
were tolerably well defined, and so far as I remember, either margia — 
could in most parts be determined within one-third or psi a of @ 
degree. The bow showed no fringe, nor any fibrousness of text 
ee when disappearing exhibited none of the usual internal oblique 
beams, or segments of streamers. It appeared to be simply luminous 
vapor. I did not at the Tntnbie- 203 asd sho Sack baption 0 of te west 
ae | wertrles Gosek! ee adie 
