Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-04-17
THIRD EDITION.
AURORA'S FLASHES.
4 splendid Exhibition Of the
Northern Lights--The Heavens

a spleDd did Exhibition Of the
Illumin ated.
Those who were fortunate enough to
be out at a late hour last night had an
opportunity to witness one of the
grandest sights ever seen by NOR al
man. This novel phenomenon was the
Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights
which lit up the entire sky. 1t was
first noriced by persons returning from
church, who thought it was caused by
fire some distance off, and many were
the surmise- as to where the fire was,
while Others were cognizant of the
cause of this strange sight in the skies.
From o'clock until after midnight
the rays became brighter, and from
midnlgnt until early dawn the sight
was beautiful, and nothing in the wri-
ter history was ever seen to compare
with It, A short sketch of this won
derful freak Of nature will no doubt be
ofinterest 10 our readers.
Aurora Rorealis, or Northern Light,
derives its name from the German
word '&OrLlCht,' the name given to
the luminous phenomenon which is
seen towards the north of the heavens
by the Inhabitants of the higher latl-
tudes During the winter of the north
ern hemisphere the inhabitants of the
Arctic zone are almost entirely with
out hight for months together, and their
long, dreary nights are relieved by this
beautiful meteor, which occurs with
great frequency in these regions
These who have explored the south
ern seas have seen the same phenOme-
moulin the direction OF the south pole, SO
tina the term ''Polar Lights might be
more appropriate than Northern
Lights" to designate the aurora. The
appearance of the aurora has been des,
cribed by great variety of observers
both in Northern and Central Europe,
all of whom give substantially the
same account of the manner in which |
the phenomenon takes place. Il is
briefly as follows:
A dingy aspect Of the sky in the
direction of the north is generally the |
precursor of the aurora; and this gradu- |
ally becomes darker in color, and as
sumes the form of a circular segment |
surrounded by a luminous arch, and
resting at eacn end on the horizon.
This dark segment" as it is called,
has the appearance of a thick cloud,
and is frequently seen as such In the
fading twilight before the development.
OF the auroral light.
Its density must, however, be very
small, as stars are sometimes seen shin
ing brightly through it, This dark
is bonded by luminous
"arch' of blush white color, which
varies in breadth from to diameteEs
of the m on, having the lower edge
sha ply defined, and the upper edge
only where the breadth of the arch is
small.
This arch may be considered to be a
part of {. luminous ring elevated at a
considerable distance above the earth's
surface, and having its centre CORES
bonding with some point near the north
pole. An observer several degrees
south of this auroral ring would see
towards the north only a ANAL arc of
it, the larger part being hid by the
earth, 1t would appear as larger ard
higher arch; TO one placed below il, it
would be seen as an aroh passing
through the Zenith and to one situa-
ted within the ring and further north,
it would bs found as an arch culmina-
ting IN the south.
On this supposition, nearly all the
various positions of the auroral arch
may be accounted for,
The center of the ring corresponds |
probably with the magnetic north |
which is at present situated in the Is
land of BoOthia Felix, hence it is tina |
Greenland, which is situated 10 the |
east of this Island, the auroral arch has
been seen stretching from north to |
south, with its highest point in the
west.
The luminous arch oncesfor red, re.
mains visible, for several hours, and is
in a constant state OF motion. 1t rises |
and falls, extends toward the east and |
towards The west, and breaks some
times in one part, sometimes in ano her.
Thes4 motions become all the more Oh
servable when the arch Is about to
shoot forth rays then it bee )mes lumi-
nous at one p0lut, eats in upon the
dark segment, and ray of similar
brig tness to the arch mounts with the
rapdity of lightning towards tho ze
NTH.
The ray seldom keep, the same form
for any length of time; but undergoes
continual changes, moving eastward
and westward, and tluttering like a
ribbon agltated by the wind. After
some lime, it gradually fades in
Brightness, and at last gives way to
other rays.
When the aurora a5tains its full
brightness and activity, rays are pro-
ri nft tho ]
if they do not rise too high, it presente
the appearance Of comb furnished
with teeth. When the rays darted by
the luminous arch are numerous and o.
great length as they we're last night,
they Culmlnate in a point which is
situated in the prolongation of the di D.
ping ueedle, somewhat southeast of the
zenith. There they form what is called
the "Boreal Crown" and the whole
heavens, towards the east, west and
north, present the appearance Of vast
cupola of fire, supported by columns of
variously colored light. When the
rays are darted less brilliantly, the
crown first disappears, then, hele and
there, the light becomes faint and in.
termittent, till at last the whole pheno.
menon tad, from the sky. The lights
last night were brighter than have been
seen tor number Of years and were
much admired. Some snpersttlous
people however, became much alarmed,
not knowing the cause of this strange
light, aud they thought the world was
coming 10 all end but their fears were
grouudless and the world still moves.
-e-<- -
&uFnr1Rsd.