The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-04
TEE AURORA B9REallS AND YME AURORA
AiSTRALIS.
Further Description of the Late Display of
Northern Lights, Seen the Pacific
[From the Ana CalIfornia, Semi. rs |

from the Alta California, Sept. 70
The display Of aurora boreas, or Northern lights,
visible on saturday evening seems not merely to
have been witnessed at all points east, but far TO
the north and south on this coast. The regular tee
graphic dispatches almost universally diac on the
subject and from special despatch from Seattle,
Washington Territory, dated September -, we learn
that the aurora boreas was visible AT that place
last night between eight and one O'Clock. The mr.
mament was illuminated by vivid s'reaks OF light
darling from West TO east z. They were also
From ireka. IN answer TO a special inquiry by the
operator 0l the Western Union Company, learn
that the aurora moi observed, the weather being
hazy ana thick but In the south II was especially
noted, our dispatches from Los Angeles &C., Will
testify. Al Visaia IL seems 70 have been partlcn-
larry yivid:-"Tonges or bright yellow SHOT up from
the horizon, almost 10 the meridian, changing to a
pale green and deep crimson. The scene shifted
from the northwest to The northeast aud back several
times, lasting about half an hour. AT times, when
The Sierra heyadas were iii the foreground H. e. re-
lieved against The skyl they presented the appear
ance OF chain OF yoicanos beching tort masses VI
crimson name
AL Maiysviilc II was seen to great perfection The
Appeal says:--..It appeared first in the northeast
ana lowered around between north and east for
upward OF hour. II had the appearance Of a
huge curtain, extending from the heavens TO the
horizon, commencing ~ 70 delicate shade OF yellow
IN the north ana terminating deep crimson
against IN abrupt dark shadow that formed lis east
ern boundary. It's Swallowing was delicate AMI sub
dued, even IN the most glowing portions and across
Its face FROM time 10 time were shaduwy sreaks as
OF the trunks OF trees masts Of ships in the dis
lance. Occasionally It's cOlors changed. the crimson
generally melting iuto an orange color and then into
Il golden hue, anu Afterwards Frightening IN again
mo a brilliant CRIMSON. 1t seemed To be separate
space OF brightness behind the dark clouds ike "a
lighted Stage III the rear OF .aiize drop curtain the
SKY and stars III all their clearnc-s and brightness
forming perfectly dislinct background,
Seen from points In Nevada 1t was also yery vivid.
In all cases it appears 10 have been a widespread
ana brilliant glow IN tne heavens rather tlan an
aurora win definite form. Mr.. Whymper, IN his
work on Alaska describes many when we wit
messed which either had the less perfectly
aTched form, or We're Sefpeniine III character, One
Il there described and pictured SNAKE of cleo
trlc hight ana no other title would probably ndi-
cate lts nature through this SNAKE Jalnj co,ors
Ike those Of lunar rainbow. fitted, while ever
and anon streamcrs ana stre;tk- shot upward from
IT, the stars being visible through any part or
". There was wrisgling and lnsidious mo.
ton 10 this scipeniine aurora which seemed TO
/, answer 10 ITS characters. in works on the Arctic
| regions, the aurora y generally pictured with
very definite iOru, nut ~ II Is SO evidently due 10
electrical disturbances IN the atmosphere IL must
be or less ethereal in nature should be re-
! presented as Indefinite IN its outlines Doubtless
| such phenomena nave been common throughout nj
time, and those wuo suppose they presage earth
quake or any other serious disturbance need mol he
greatly alarmed. They are commonest IN extreme
northern latitudes where earthquakes are SUPPOSE.
by unknown. While In our latitude these lights
are always seen in northcriy part OF the heavens;
in Australia &c. they are seen IN soutnerly drec-
ton exclusively, and are known as Aurora Austria.
liza tSoutnern sghts). The derivation OF the word
aurora shows the peculiar fitness OF the appca-
ton OF these phenomena; II signifies literally the
'.goden'' or the 'morEg hour q. e. the dawn oil
day; the redness oi The sky Just before the sun
rIscs