On a disturbance of the earth's magnetism : in connexion with the appearance of an aurora borealis, as observed at Albany, April 19, 1831 / by Joseph Henry.

  • Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878.
Date:
[1832?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On a disturbance of the earth's magnetism : in connexion with the appearance of an aurora borealis, as observed at Albany, April 19, 1831 / by Joseph Henry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    sidered on some accounts interesting. By comparing those which are thus noticed, with the Regents' Reports, the following results are obtained: The first aurora mentioned in the Annals for 1830, occurred on the 19th of April. A particular description is given of its appear- ance in England, and also a notice of its being seen in Scotland. In the State of New-York, a brilliant aurora was extensively seen on the same evening. Accounts are given of it from Auburn, Cambridge, Canajoharie, Cayuga, Franklin, Hudson, Lansingburgh, Lowville, Oxford, Pompey, Rochester, Union, Cazenovia and Utica. The second aurora noticed in the Annals, is that of the 20th of August. An aurora was also seen in the State of New-York, at Lowville, Pompey, Cazenovia, and is particularly described as presenting an unusual appearance at Utica. The next aurora which appeared worthy of a particular notice in the Annals, happened on the 7th of September; and the same evening, an aurora was seen at Lewiston in Niagara county. On the 17th of the same month, an aurora was also observed in Eng- land, and at the same time at Pompey, St. Lawrence and Utica. Under the report of the meteorology for the month of October, in the Annals, two auroras are described as appearing, one on the evening of the 5th, and the other on that of the 16th. These were both seen in the State of New-York, the first at Utica, and the second at Lowville. Two auroras are particularly mentioned as appearing in England in November; but no corresponding ones are noticed in the Report of the Regents, as having been seen in the State of New-York. In the meteorological reports for the month of December, in the Annals, there are five auroras mentioned. The most interesting of these happened on the 11th, and exhibited peculiar appearances. At one time, from a segment of the horizon of 70 degrees in ex- tent, there emanated several flame-colored perpendicular columns, some of which were 2 degrees wide and 30 degrees in altitude: these were succeeded by others, which ultimately exhibited red and purple tints. Many persons in England saw the aurora, and described it as exhibiting an awful appearance from a mixture