Wilmington journal., 1859-09-09
For the ,JOnrr

Having been questioned about, and asked to account
for the phenomenon which was observed last night
that OF red and lurid light ovespreadng the armament
but which did not witness, have taken pains to
obtain from some who it, information to its first
appearance diffusion and termination ltis stated that
about l O'Clock, A. M, red light observed in a
nothwesterly direction, apparently at an elevation of
about 80 degrees and although the night cloudy,
some stars were visible through the glare. The light
gradually spread, without intensity diminution, and
by 2h. pom. the whole armament was Illuminated
After this it gradually assumed purple and then pink
hue during the continuance of which small objects were
visible as if shone upon by the moon. This light became
gradually fainter, and did not entirely disappear till
dispelled by the rays Of the rising sum-
Such phenomena are not uncommon in high northern
aitudes especially in cold weather. but they rarely
witnessed far south this at any season OF the year.
AS to their many theories have been suggested,
but it is now generally conceded that they owe their
origin to electricity and the exhibition of last night
conceive to have been grand display of electrical light
widely dffused aurora BoreaHs.
The following short extract from Lardner, think is
terae to the subject and may interest some of your
readers
The Aurora Boz calls is luminous phenomena which ap
pears in the heavens and in high laudes in both
temspheres The Boreals, Northern ighs
has been applied because the opportunities of witness
ing from the geographical character OF the globe
much frequent the northern than IN the southern
hemisphere. TIE term Aurora Poaris would be more
proper designation.
This phenomenon consists of luminous rays of various
coors issuing every direction but cOnverCing the
point which appear after sunset generally toward the
NORTH occasionally toward the Wes and sometimes out
horizon vague and dfuse light, something like the
seaks whic harbiuger the rising and form the
has Tpr IFS
Northern Morning. Sometimes however, 1t Is presented
the form of sombre cloud from which luminous jets
which often variously cOored. and illuminate the
entire atmosphere.
exhibition striking the could not fail at an
early period attract the attention of scientific inquers
and give 1se to ous theories. Some supposed 1t to
be the eacon of the solar rays others ascrbed to the
efe cts the magnetic fluid. Euler identified with the
Marian supposed to proceed from the in
ermxture of the farexenng atmosphere OF the with
that of the EARTH When however, the luminous effects OF
artificial electricity shonn-when the electric light
transmitted through rarefed air exhibed-and when
these various hypotEeses were by common consent aban
doned and the explanation proposed by Eoerhar OF Halle
Frisi Pisa which ascrbed the phenomenon to
electricity transmitted through regions in which the amos
phere in highly raefed state, adopted Any doubt
which have hung round this explanation dspeed
when the relations between magnetism and electricity
demonstrates and although the complete explanation OF
the details of the has not been accomplished the
electricity aid magnetism of the earth and its atmosphere
must now be regarded as its source.
question which naturally urges itself ulon the consider
alton of the scientific inquirer IS whether the phenomenon
is be regarded meteo illogical or astronomical IN
other words whether II taxes pace Wltnl ol
atmosphere, partakes in common with that fluid in the
durna of the EARTH situate in region beyond
the limits Of the atmosphere being through it, like the
stars planets COMETS and other celestial objects The
lat which the tOm of Invariably bears to the d.
rectOn of the magnetic meridian raises pG tGCte pre-
sumption in favor of the phenomenon being ATMOSPHERIC
but all doubt this question has been removed by the OBJ
servaions of M Blot from which appears that the appar
place the relation to celestial objects
fixed that its altitude and aZmuth do not undergo those
hourly changes to which celestial objects subject and
that reduced by the urna rotation OF the earth 1t must
then be taken demonstrated that the aurora boreals
phenomenon placed within the limits Of atmosphere and
that is connected with the atmosphere or with some mat
suspended in it, parakng of the durna motion common
to the atmosphere and the globe.
The observations of Dr. Richardson Franklin Hood
Parry and Others, prove that the place of the
is within the Limits of the atmosphere and scarcely above
the region of the clouds in fact the durna rotation
the earth prOdu change its apparent position,
must essay partake of that motion and consequently
| be regarded as an almosphercal phenomenon.
g. H.