‘Selected from the Smithsonian Papers. — 339 
Art. XXXI.—The Great Auroral Exhibition of Aug. 28th to 
Sept, 4th, 1859.—6TH ARTICLE; by Prof. Ex1as Loomis. 
SINCE our last Auroral article was prepared for the press, the 
following letter has been received from the Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution. 
Washington, June 6th, 1860. 
Dear Sir :—Some time since, you wrote us in regard to the 
aurora of September, 1859, and I now write to inform you that 
we have a very large collection of materials in regard to this in- 
teresting meteor which in justice. to the writers ought to be pub- 
lished. It is, however, a pity that the data for scientific deduc- 
tions in regard to this interesting phenomenon should be scat- 
tered, and we will therefore present the whole to Silliman’s 
Journal, provided the Editors will publish it. Will you take 
charge of it, and prepare it for the press 
Josepn Henry, Secretary S. I. 
rh 
identically the same. From the entire mass of materials we ae 
] i ete 
and elaborate, and which were so distributed in geographical ir. 
tion as to afford a correct idea of the appearances throughout 
the entire area of the United States. 
OnskRvations of THE AURorA or Avoust 28TH, 1859. 
Selected from the Smithsonian Papers. 
1. Observations at Burlington, Minnesota, (lat. 47° 1, long. 92° 30’), 
by A, A. Hipparp. 
The aurora of Aug. 28th, commenced at 8 P. M., and increased 
very rapidly until 84 P. M., when it came to a centre directly 
Over our heads. It went about three-fourths the circumference 
letely round at the top, 
Stars very bright 
were very light, and some- 
Loi 
F he beams we A 
what seattered. At10P. M. it had entirely disappeared. 
