Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-23
THE RECENT AURORA.
WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPArcH.I

The auroral display OF Saturday n1gnt,
which was SO graphically described In THE
SUNDAY DISPATCH, was without doubt the
most remarkable recorded for this latitude
In recent years. and we owe 1t to MI.
Brashear the emonstration Of its connec-
tion with particular sun spot. 1t becomes
clear, as Mr.. Brashear says, that not all sun
spots are productive OF such palpably visible
terrestrial magnetic observation-disclosures,
only, being capable of such results which
are in an intense state of activity-and such
may later become apparently qutescent IN
their effects while still perhaps visible on
the solar disc. There remains no longer
doubt, however, of the intimate connection
between the auroras of both of our poles
maximum in periods Of about IL years. as
LoonIis' comparative tables OF American
and European auroras for many years clearly
indicates.
The writer had splendid view of the dis
play from Craig street at an elevation or
about 250 feet above the river, with an un-
broken view of the northern horizon. IN
visible extent its range in latitude was from
about 200 west to GOO east OF north-north De-
ing practically the magnetic meridian in this
region. In altitude some OF the beams, par
ticulnrly those west of north, extended fully
to tho zenith and remained stationary and
very brilliant for longer periods than the
eastern beams, WHILE on the other hand, the
flashes were much the more frequent que Wm s1ase on tne
cessation of flashes when the beams were
distinct on that side. The flashes appeared
to be true waves of translation, advancing
in pillows faster in their central port1ons,all
moving on the meridian from the north to
the south-though once or twice the writer
thought he observed retrogfade move
ment. The flashes were repeated necessarily
during several minutes. probably as rapidly
as one every second from some point In the
field, SO that their light was nearly contlnu-
GUS for such period.
Peculiar Light OF the Flashes.
The light of the flashes was white or
pale pearly tint-they could not be termed
vivid, as their illuminating power was
rather feeble occasionally. Flashes seemed
to originate almost overhead, fading out ten
or more degrees to the south of the zenith.
During all the time there was more OF less
of the general "corolal" light in the north.
Very distinct beams, sometimes of brilliant
red, remained in sight to the west OF the
polar star, while the flashes were at their
maximum of intensity to the east.
At mo time did the display, which lasted
tempera ture was SEQ Fairy. fall under any
of the five varieties described by Loomis,
viz, (D horizontal light like the morning
aurora, or break of day; (2) an arch Of light.
from east 10 west and cuts the magnetic me-
ridian at right angles; (S) slender luminous
beams or columns well defined and often
y
OF which is invariably near the magnetic
zenith, and (5) waves or flashes OF light:
saturdays aurora was combination OF
most of these varieties. 1t commenced with
an aurora very much like the dawn of day
light. with, however, brilliant green1sh
cast and this appearance was repeated over
the northern horizon near the close OF the
display, and in the writer's opinion was the
most strikingly beautiful portion of the
phenomenon. During these periods sur
rounding objects were rendered quite v1sl-
BILE, while in the North could be seen, not
far above the horizon, several small de-
tached cirrus clouds, floating like islands In
q sea of enhancing beauty. The clouds re-
ferred to were dark. Such a spectacle the
writer never before witnessed.
Duration of the Appearances.
The duration of these appearances was
not much over a minute, and were followed
by Neutrality-suspicious. to the East where
magnetic Battery B' seemed to command
the situation. There were no beams while
the coronal and "daybreak' light ruled.
These points are mentioned as there ap-
peared to be sequence of events.
AS to the height of the lights, it is certain
that (D "the auroral" effect was above the
cirrus clouds mentioned, which were prob
rarely, if ever, low DOWN. If the light had
been under them the clouds would not have
appeared as dark spots. but would have been
illuminated. The flashes may have been
There has been much speculation on the sub.
ject of auroras, but to the writer's mind since
he has learned of the positive connection Of
this display with a particular sun spot in
violent agitation, that in this instance it
must have been not only electrical energy
transmitted from the sun but an "over-
CHARGE" or abrupt change in the potential,
regarding the Garth as one magnet and the
sun as another one. 1t is a favorite theory
and one which has many grounds for sup
port that the simple rotation OF the earth Is
I'll A~So
activity, but when this theory is stretched
by the inductive process to account for
auroras it lacks plausibility. Why not ac-
cept the idea rather that the eartffs normal
powered by forms Of energy reaching us
from the sun.
Worry Interesting Specuration.
It is an interesting speculation to con-
slider what, if any, permanent influence the
solar manifestations may have upon the
earth. Is the earth to be considered as a re-
ceiver or storage battery?" and can 1t en-
ploy a redundancy Of such force in good or
bad weather service-in vegetation, or in
animal vigor OF health? Very likely there 1s
such employment-but it-must be very eva
escent If it be true-as We are told that
simple heat (another form Of sun force
reaching us, is radiated into space about as
fast as we receive it. But what becomes of
energy radiated into space? The materialist
doctrine is that energy Is substance, and
therefore there may exist an immense
quantity of latent heat in space. The writer
believes there is. Hence when the sun ceases
to contract and becomes cold, as it
is destined to be along with the earth and
the other planets, some millions of years
hence, they will wander in space uncon-
trolled. and with no such magnetic and
electrical af1inities as they now have with
each other. Perhaps without this control
they may be drawn tosether-and then
smashl bang! they will be scattered into cos
mic dust Momentarily after such a rapid
expansion into nebular dimensions the dust
particles will be cold-but about this time
all that latent heat "oefore time of old"
radiated into space-begins to play on the
particles. molecular and otherwise, and
here we are ready Tor q new solar system,
Just as Prof. Keeler explained so lucidly in
recent paper before the Academy or Science.
He got us down from nebula-and this Is one
way, at least, Of getting us back there again.
T. P. z.
TEE-TO-TUM AGAINST Rum,
Tho Latest Departure In Clubs Is Started