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XXII. On the Great Magnetic Bisturhance which extend^ed from August 28 fo September 7, 
1859, as recorded by Photography at the Kew Observatory. Balfour Stewart, A.M. 
Eeceired June 28, — Eead November 21, 1861. 
During the latter part of August, and the beginning of September, 1859, auroral dis- 
plays of almost unprecedented magnificence were observed very widely throughout our 
globe, accompanied (as is invariably the case) with excessive disturbances of the magnetic 
needle. 
The interest attached to these appearances is, if possible, enhanced by the fact, that 
at the time of their occurrence a very large spot might have been observed on the disc of 
our luminary — a celestial phenomenon which we have grounds for supposing to be inti- 
mately connected with auroral exhibitions and magnetic storms. 
The auroral displays above mentioned were very attentively observed throughout 
Europe, America, and Australia. In many places these were of the most gorgeous 
character, while other places were visited by this meteor where its appearance was an 
event of very rare occurrence. Even from as low a latitude as Cuba we have a 
description of it by the Director of the Havannah Observatory, accompanied with the 
remark that only four previous displays had been recorded in the traditions of the 
island. In not a few instances telegraphic communication was interrupted, owing to 
the current produced in the wfires ; and in some cases this proved so powerful that it 
was used instead of the ordinary current, the batteries being cut off and the wires simply 
connected with the earth. 
It is unnecessary to enter into further particulars regarding this meteor, as the 
descriptions of it given by observers at places widely apart have been collected together 
by Professor E. Loomis, and published in a series of papers communicated to the 
American J ournal of Science and Arts. I shall only add that, both from the European, 
the American, and the Australian accounts, there appear to have been two great 
displays, each commencing at nearly the same absolute time, throughout the globe, — the 
first on the evening of the 28th of August, and the second on the early morning of the 
2nd of September, Greenwich time. 
Magnetic disturbances of unusual violence and very wide extent were observed simul- 
taneously with these displays. These were recorded more or less frequently at the 
various observatories; but at Kew there is the advantage of a set of self-recording 
magnetographs (the property of the Royal Society), which are in constant operation. 
As a description of these instruments has already been published in the volume of 
Reports of the British Association for 1859, it is only necessary here to mention that 
MDCCCLXI. 3 If 
