Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-07
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNEspAY MoRNING, srrrEnnER I. 1859.
CAUSE OF TIE AURORA BOREALIS.

CAUSE OF TIE AURORA BOREALIS
This is yet an undecided question. Some
have ascribed the appearance to solar light
rclractcd in the higher regions of the air,
others to the agency OF the magnetic fluid.-
Euler imagined it to proceed from the same
ether which formed the tails OF comets; Mai
ran conceived it to arise from the mixture OF
the atmosphere of the sun with that OF the
earth: but when the properties OF electric
light became known, and when Its appearance
III rarefcd air had been observed, all these
hypothesis were by common consent aban-
doned and little doubt was entertained that,
whatever be the details of the natural process
by which it was produced, the aurora bore
:,ls was the effect of atmospheric electricity
This is confirmed by the disturbance of the
wires Of the electric telcgra pin during auroral
displays, which frequently entirely interrupts
communication.
Eberhart Paul Frisi, and others, argued
that the aurora is nothing more than electri-
cal discharges transmitted through parts of
the upper regions of the atmosphere so rare
ticl as to produce the peculiar luminous APP
pearance which they exhibit.
Nj. dc Ia Rive, acting upon hint given by
ment in producing on a small scale the
phenomena of the aurora, by union OF mag
he ic and voltaic electricity in rareied air
Silliman' Journal, commenting upon thiseX-
pertinent, SAYS it appears to account very
satisfactorily for what passes in the phenome
ma of the aurora borealis in fact, the light
which results from the union ofthe two cleo
1ricitics in the part of the atmosphere which
81, Il StpnI M rpm
vaguely distributed, is carried by the action Of
the terrestrial magnetism round the magnetic
pole of the globe, whence it seems to rise in
Ecyolying columns, of which it is the base"
This theory Of the electric and magnetic ORR
gin Of the aurora is not established beyond
dispute. Professor Olmstead, in paper pre-
,cutri to the American Association ut New
tiaven in 1850, argued in favor of its cosmi
cal origin: first, from the extent OF the
exhibitions, which is greater than could
arise from any terrestrial carnations or at
mo>phcric precipitationS. Secondly, from
the velocity of the motions, which are too
great Tor any terrestrial forces. Thirdly,
from the occurrence ofthe different stages OF
an aurora, (the beginning, maximum, and
rmdl at the same hour of the night in places
differing widely in longitude, which indica-
jc. that successive portions OF the earth, IN
the Giurnal rotation come under the gin
al the aurora situated in space Finally,
from the periodcity Of the exhibitions; the
diurna. which shows relation to the posi-
ton of The sun with respect to its position;
tie annual. which indicates 4 relation Of the
auroral body to the earth's orbit and cspe-
,iaily the secular. THAT Is, its occurrence III
q ,cricS Of years and then ceasing for time)
which implies a cycle at the end of which
the aurora body and the earth return TO the
same relative position in the heavens, while
the very existence of such secular periodi-
city takes the phenomenon out OF the pale OF
terrestrial. and places it within the pale of
astronomical causes. This theory also in
lcrS tina, the auroral body whence the mate
rial ofthe aurorais dcrived) is nc6ulous body
of light, scmi-trausparent. inhammable and
magnetic matter, revolving around the sun;
aui that probably there are many such col
icclions of nebulOus matter difuscd through
the planetary spaces.-Bosfon Journal.