The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-09-06
ICoMMUNIcATED.1


the 28th August, 1897; by HESRr GIBBoys.-
Iiead bctoye the DeLlWare .icademy Of Natural
Science, Sept. 1st, 1927.
About 10 o. slock, this phenomenon first
assumed a remarkable appearance. in the
torn of zone of white light, extending from
the f. n. Z. to the w. N. w. points of the
horizon; thongh diffused light, like the
break Of day had been observed in the Aor-
thern HORIZON during the previous half hour.
The zone or arch was midway between the
zenith and horizon. and about 100 broad, ex-
cept a. the western extremity, where it was
contracted nearly to point. Its Eastern cx-
tremity was faint, uniform, intermitting
light. about its middle, slender streaks or
columns became visible, converging towards
point far beyond the zenith, and moving
laterally from East to West. with the ra-
pidity of the lower stratum, of clouds in our
common Easterly storus. These columns
underlined as they approached the West.
where they appeared almost stationary
This appearance continued with little vara-
ton for three quarters of an hour. The
Eastern half Of the arch then disappeared
entirely, and the remaining part approach
ed the zenith in the form Of a slender, in
verted pyramid, and gave place to another
Of half the width, composed of broader col
unns, more distant, and well defined, NOV
ing but slowly, and presenting very s!nsu-
lar and striking appearance. "a supersti-
tious eye would have construed every col
umn into sword, portending some dire ca
lamity. The two semi. arches soon united,
the upper extremity disappeared. and the
lower part formed into three long, slender
columns, not unlike the tails of comets, very
we'll defined, overlapping each other, and
pointing south Of the zenith. These remain
cd permanent half all hour. and then grad
ually mingled into one, which soon vanished
At this time III, o'clock) the phenome-
non was restricted to the light in the North,
which had gradually becemc SO bright as to
cast faint shadow, and had assumed the
form of low rainbow, sending directly up
wards long, slender luminous beams. which
moved in a lateral direction, backward and
forward. and remained visible some minutes.
From this bow, more especially when the
columns faded, broad patches of light flash
ed upward, frequently from its whsle length.
These flashes were at times given oil in such
quick succession, as to present continued
{ undulating light. About IL o'clock, the
arch and columns were gradually resolved
into homogeneous light. which continued
TO send off flashes, and afterwards dlsap-
peared by degrees without Offering any
thing further worthy of notice.
The motion of the columns in the upper
: arch was ALWAYS from East to West. They
appeared very low in the atmosphere, and
one might readily have imagined them NOV
ed bv the wind. for when they first appear.
ed. an Eastcrly breeze sprang up, but soon
fell. and at the same tiae the motion OF the
y columns nearly ceased. But according te
the lowest calculations OF late writer's on the
. sub;ect. the Aurora Boreals does not ap'
proach nearer to tho Garth than 100 miles
. rs ~. admit this the columns moved at the
rate of more than three hundred miles in
minutc-as they passed through quad
rant Of a circle in about so seconds. The
light was mostly white, but had purpls
tinge where brightest.
The inverted pyramid bore some analogy
TO the zodiacal light. But it was not visible til
a hours after sunset, and its base was more
than 40 degrees from the ecliptic, though
the apex was nearly stationary in the place
Of the SUMS setting, Whereas the zediaca
light, is seen or an hour after sunset, gen.
erallv in the SUMS track, ard never without
the zodiac.
The evening of the 2sth was cool and ths
sky perfectly clear. The thermometer stooc
AZ zoo and the Barometer at 29.SO inches
A Northerly wind had prevailed for some
!, d.vs and on the 26th there had been vio
a len, Easterly storm.
!, In Cregory's Dict, article Aurora Boreal
is. is a description by Dalton, nearly answer
i, ing TO that Of the lower Bow. &c. but 1t
doubtful whether any account has been CIV
>, en- of phenomenon similar to that first de
;, scrib.d. The oldest inhabitants OF WI
minrt,n do not reeollect having seen it IL