Aurora Borealis of November 14, 1837. 275 



" At 5h. 45m. a purple bow or streamer appeared in the W. N. 

 W., at first, rising but about 10°. At about the same time anoth- 

 er rose in the N. N. E. Both gradually increased in height until 

 they reached the zenith, and at 5h. 55m., a complete corona was 

 formed. The eastern beam, soon after its appearance, extended 

 in breadth at its base, assuming a triangular form of a purple or 

 carnation hue, with a golden colored streamer passing up through 

 its centre. Streamers were general at this time in the north ; but 

 directly north, as well as nearly over head, the heavens were of a 

 light greenish tinge. Soon after this, a purple cloud in the E. 

 was peculiarly brilliant, and at 5h. 57m. a bright white streamer 

 passed the north star, on its way to the west. At 5h. 59m. the 

 whole appearance began to decline in brilliancy, especially the 

 radiating point, and, at this time scarcely any light was observa- 

 ble 20° E. of N. * * * At 6h. 7m. bright carna- 

 tion clouds appeared each side of the radiating point, which con- 

 tinued nearly fixed for three or four minutes, and gradually fa- 

 ded away — the radiating point having now nearly disappeared." 

 Time in Geneva is about 16Jm. earlier than in New Haven. 



Mr. Smith gives very minute observations on the phases of the 

 Aurora, continued until 8h. 8m., when clouds for the most part, 

 obstructed the view of the heavens, and no auroral phenomena 

 were visible. Faint appearances of the Aurora, seem, from his 

 notes, to have continued until nearly half past seven : when they 

 subsided only to re-appear almost immediately. A faint corona 

 was formed at 7h. 35m. 



Mr. Smith seems, also, for about five minutes, to have had a 

 glimpse of our splendid exhibition at a later hour, though not suf- 

 ficient to inform him of its magnificence. 



From a communication inserted in the Daily Commercial Ad- 

 vertiser, of Buffalo, by Mr. R. W. Haskins, it appears that the 

 Aurora was observable also at that place, at its first approach. Mr. 

 Haskins states that, at 5h. 15m., the heavens being clear in the 

 north, and for 50° both east and west of that point, an unusual 

 ruddy appearance was noticed, not in this region, but still farther 

 toward the east and west. Mr. Haskins continues as follows : 

 " This soon faded, leaving barely a perceptible tinge ; and in- 

 stantly, when nearly all color had disappeared elsewhere, a space 

 of some 15° in diameter, immediately west of Cassiopeia and 

 Andromeda, and north of Pegasus, was lighted up with red of a 



