396 Notices of a remarkable Aurora Borealis. 



At Berwick, the Aurora " began to develop itself between 

 5 and 6 o'clock, at which time the sky was cloudless and the 

 stars shining brilliantly. After going through a few fitful 

 phases, it took the form of a magnificent canopy, which for 

 several hours, under ever-varying forms, continued to over- 

 spread the whole or greater part of the heavens. The centre 

 of action appeared to be in the zenith, from which, for the 

 most part, the rays of light shot forth on all sides like the ribs 

 of a gigantic umbrella. Occasionally the beams seemed to 

 radiate from a clear round patch of deep blue sky, but more 

 frequently they issued from a corona of light which kept 

 constantly changing its form. The prevailing colour of the 

 rays was crimson ; and in the course of the evening every 

 variety, from the most delicate rose tint to a shade almost 

 verging on purple, was profusely displayed. The phenomenon 

 continued for several hours to afford a most interesting and 

 imposing spectacle. As the evening wore on, it contracted 

 itself to smaller dimensions, but its leading features remained 

 much the same. The corona became, if possible, still more 

 remarkable in its changes, while the rays, in which crimson 

 and blue were now more generally intermingled, glanced 

 forth in all directions with undiminished vivacity. Through- 

 out the evening, the Aurora was of sufficient brightness to 

 hide the smaller stars, though those of greater magnitude 

 could be dimly seen through it." — Berwick Advertiser. 



At Qldcambus, I was not called out to witness the Aurora 

 till 8 o'clock. It then shewed bands of red rays, with dark 

 intervals, diverging to the south and east, while the sky to 

 the north was clear and unoccupied. These kept almost 

 stationary, till bands of yellow " dancers " broke off at the 

 borders, and streaming round to the north, were succeeded 

 by the redness in that quarter also ; and soon after the 

 corona was completed. This was shifted and renewed re- 

 peatedly, as if an unseen operator behind guided its evan- 

 escence or re-appearance. The main features remained long 

 unaltered, and there was less movement than is usual of 

 flying columns. Later, floating clouds poured up from the 

 south, and as in passing they intercepted the red or yellow 

 auroral beams, their edges were tinged with blood red, or 

 primrose yellow. The light was nearly equal to that of the 

 moon. A rain-blast next morning and forenoon came on 

 from the south. J. H. 



