Prof. Kirkwood on the Aurora of 1859. 397 
these red agin the other in the southeast; the zenith dis- 
tance of its summit being about 40°, and its outer edge just 
reaching Arcturus. 
eae a splendid corona was formed, towards which 
the streamers moved in beautiful undulations. aa Sosa re- 
markable feature in the phenomenon, how extent ; 
not only the entire northern part of the visible Printer was 
illuminated, but the greater portion also of the southern. 
I have just learned that during the night some lines of the 
magnetic telegraph were so much isturbed as to stop communi- 
cation between different points. ; 
[Second letter. | 
Bloomington, Indiana, Sept. 9th, 1859. 
TO THE EDITORS, &c. 
Gentlemen :—Since the date of my hasty note of the 29th ult., 
we have had several cg displays of the Aurora. Not having 
witnessed them myself, however, I have collected from others 
the following facts in regard to them: the first—a magnificent 
one—was seen by many of our citizens on the night of Sep- 
tember Ist. It was noticed in the north about 11 o'clock, and 
gradually increased in brilliancy and extent until the whole visi- 
ble heavens were illuminated ; the light at times being such that 
ordinary print could be read without much difficulty. At 1 
way between the zenith and horizon. e Stark County (IIlL.) 
News thus describes the phenomenon :— 
“On yoxterdng fase fal (Sept. Ist) between one and two o'clock, the 
whole heavens were aglow with deep red light, which prensntey every 
er of beautiful aspect imaginable. en we ooked out, it 
| if two brilliant suns had just set, one in the east and one in 
the sil and the sky, at either point was painted in broad streams of 
crimson and gold. This lasted but a moment, then a deep oer over- 
Spread the whole sky, brighter at some points than others, but Pang 2 
e light was so strong at times, that we could see to read fine 
ease, and gave to buildings and - ae a dim fae. like freight 
An are of some 20° was formed o e southern pute the inside of 
which presented a silvery appeal ‘ike the edge of a cloud brightened 
by the moon, and from this, broad streams of a lilac color would flash 
up toward the zenith abd abruptly ad 
The displ = hts of the 1st and 2nd, are described 
by the fadiasmpatin oli m et of the 3rd inst., as follows :— 
“ Another Aurora.— Y est — mornin (Se pt. 1) fi rom midnight till 
day another Aurora, more brilliant than the first, in this locality at least, 
