262 Aurora Borealis of September 3, 1839. 



of September 3, 1839 ; nor have I been able to learn that any of 

 the oldest inhabitants remember one of equal magnificence. The 

 late display was but little inferior to those 1 have observed in 

 New Jersey, three times within the last four years. About 7 

 P. M., the northern sky appeared unusually bright, as if affected 

 by lunar twilight. A large bank of vapor or thin cloud was dis- 

 covered in the N., gently declining toward the E. and W. points 

 of the horizon, and extending perhaps 30° in each direction. A 

 similar bank of smaller dimensions was seen in the N. E., but 

 less bright than the Northern. In a few minutes, the upper edges 

 of both banks, but especially of the Northern, had a whiteness 

 resembling the enlightened disk of the moon in its greatest siilen- 

 dor. The bank was at this time about 12° in height as deter- 

 mined by a tlieodolite. At 7h. 25m. a white streamer about 2° 

 in width, arose from the bank about N. 6° E., and shot upwards 

 through the Pole star as far as the zenith, being rather convex on 

 the Western side. Others appeared immediately on both sides of 

 it, passing through or near Ursa Major and Cassiopeia. The bank 

 in the N. E. exhibited as yet no coruscations. At 7h. 45m., the 

 columns had become larger and more numerous. One embraced 

 Ursa Major, and another Cassiopeia, without farther extension 

 horizontally. These were both of a brilliant crimson color, and 

 remained nearly stationary for a considerable time, while the in- 

 tervening column became faint. A westward motion was soon 

 after observed in three principal columns, and about the same 

 time a diminution in the brightness of the red ones. On this 

 last occurrence, thin horizontal clouds of a red color were seen 

 crossing the columns at an altitude of 30°, which however soon 

 disappeared. When the northern bank possessed less energy, the 

 Northeastern sent up to the zenith an intensely red column which 

 continued to glow until nearly 9h., alternating however in bright- 

 ness with those in the N. The Northern coruscations ceased 

 about 9 P. M., and the other bank gave forth afterward but few 

 and less vivid streamers. Before lOh. these had also ceased, yet 

 the northern bank continued to exhibit its silvery edge ; and 

 another display occurred after midnight. The Northern bank 

 attained an altitude of 22^° at 8h. 15m., and was about 3° higher 

 at 8h. 40m. 



"A very brilliant white column, 1° wide, and 3° W. of Arctu- 

 rus, appeared to have undulations in the directions of its length 



