410 On the Meteors of loth JYovemher. 



at Harvard, was an interesting meteorological fact, and may have had 

 a strict connexion with the meteors, a connexion which may be more 

 fully developed ivhen the cause of meteors shall be better understood* 

 The luminous appearances in the west following twilight, are also re- 

 markable. The same appearance has been exhibited as late as the 

 evening of December 29th, in a form much more imposing than on 

 either of the preceding occasions. It v/as observed immediately 

 after the twilight, (which ended at eighteen minutes after six,) and last- 

 ed until fifteen minutes before eight. It illuminated all the western; 

 sky and strongly resembled the twilight, being brighter than the zo- 

 diacal light, not lenticular like that, and not extending along the 

 Zodiac, but having its apex in a vertical circle near Alpha Pegasi. 

 Ridges of dark clouds, (cumulo-stratus) with intervals of clear sky^ 

 contributed to heighten the effect by contrast ; and higher than these,, 

 was a thin vapor that became visible as it crossed Jupiter, which was 

 near the meridian, being illuminated in a circular space around the 

 planet, and presenting much the same appearance as the light in the 

 west, a circumstance which led to the conjecture that the latter was ow- 

 ing to the same vapor elevated so high as to fall into the sun's light, after 

 the ordinary cause of twilight had ceased to operate. The vapor 

 was so thin as hardly to diminish the light of Jupiter. Was this va- 

 por such as remained from the combustion of the meteors ? 



An aurora borealis of moderate height was visible in the north at the 

 same time, and faded away simultaneously with the western aurora. 



12. It has been thought an object of so much importance, to present 

 a full view of the facts which have reached us, as noticed by a great 

 number of intelligent and accurate observers in various parts of our 

 wide country, and the neighboring parts of the ocean, that we have 

 already, through the indulgence of the Editor, been permitted to 

 swell this number of the Journal beyond its ordinary dimensions; 

 although we have not yet entered upon the two last heads proposed, 

 namely, to give a historical sketch of the same phenomenon as it has 

 appeared before at different times, and, finally, with the whole body 

 of facts before us, to inquire what explanation, if any, can be given 

 of them. These topics must be reserved for the next number of the 

 Journal. 



At least four hypotheses proposing to account for the facts in ques- 

 tion, are already before the public. Electricity, Magnetism, the Com- 

 bustion of Hydrogen Gas, or of some of its compounds, and Terrestrial 

 Comets, have severally been made the basis of explanations. Whether 



