SAM SILVERMAN AURORAL ANNOTATIONS Data are arranged as year, month, day, place and source. Notes, if any, are on the following line. B.C.E. approximately 2600-2200 Wang and Siscoe (1995) From Chinese records. B.C.E. ca. 340 Byzantium Brodribb and Besant (1879) During the siege of the city by Philip of Macedon it is said that a sudden radiance in the form of a crescent streamed across the sky. Stothers rejects this as an aurora. B.C.E. 208 China Biot (1844) B.C.E. 113 Italy? Clerke (1886) 65, 66 Jerusalem Botley (1964) c. 85 Britain Britton (1937) p. 11 "Boece gives a list of prodigies supposed to have been seen just before the departure from Britain of Julius Agricola. Amongst these is an account of a 'battle in the air,' a term frequently used by old writers for vivid auroral displays. Tacitus, however, is silent as to these phenomena in his De Vita Agricolae. 112 Britain Britton (1937) p. 11 "Battles in the air (i.e., auroral appearances. No mention before Short." Thus, very doubtful. 119 Britain Britton (1937) p. 12 "Auroral appearances. No reference before Short. In another place he says they were followed by famine." Thus, very doubtful. c. 230 London, England Britton (1937) p. 13 "In hist time, Armies of Footmen and Horsemen were seen in the Air over London and divers others places, Fighting: together with great Blasts, Thunders and Lightnings, followed by mighty Storms of Hail and Tempestes, that did much Dammage." Britton comments: "Seller allocates these events to the reign of Alexander Severus, without specific year. They appear to be imaginary." 249 Britain Britton (1937) p. 13 "At his coming to the Throne it Rained Blood in divers parts of this Kingdom, and a Terrible Bloody Sword was seen in the Air for Three Nights, a little after Sunset." Britton comments: "The emperor in question is Decius. These prodigies are probably imaginary." 303 January 1 Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) Location taken as Lo-Yang, capital of the Western Chin, approximately 34.43 N, 113.30 E. here and in following 4th century dates taken from Schove and Ho (1983). 303 September 25 Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) Doubtful aurora. " ... the heavens divided at the centre into two parts, accompanied three times by sounds resembling thunder." 303 December 27 Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) Doubtful aurora. " ... a red vapour appeared across the heavens accompanied by a crashing sound." 304 Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) "At night a light like fire." 305 June 20 Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) 305 November 21 Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) "... a red vapour appeared in the north stretching across the heavens from west to east." 306 June Lo-Yang, China Schove and Ho (1983) 445 England Britton (1937) p. 16 Before the Britons beat the Saxons, and the king of the Scots was slain, apparitions were seen in the air in England and burning spears at Rome ... " Britton comments: "Probably quite mythical." 450 April 4 Europe Newton (1972) Year inferred from weekday. 450 Italy? Clerke (1886) 450 Hungary Hedervari (1981) 454 Britain Britton (1937) p. 17 "Short allocates auroral appearances to this year. No earlier record found." Thus, very doubtful. 455 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 56 Cited by author of ephemeral pamphlet on aurora of December 28, 1561. No other information. 502 Edessa Botley (1964) 512 Europe Newton (1972) c. 523 Britain Britton (1937) "In his time strange sights were seen of Dragons, Lions and other furious wild Beasts Fighting in the Air. In the West of Kent it Rained Wheat, and soon after great Drops of Blood, upon which ensued extream Dearth ... " Britton comments: "Vaguely allocated to the reigh of Octa (c. 513-533). Legendary." 525 Europe Newton (1972) Year uncertain. 540 Britain Britton (1937) p. 19 "Battles in the Air (i.e., auroral appearances)" [citing Short]. Britton comments: "The reference is probably to aurorae seen in France. Roger of Wendover has an account of this: In the year of grace 541, there appeared a comet in Gaul, so vast that the whole sky seemed on fire. In the same year there dropped real blood from the clouds ... and a dreadful mortality ensued. An aurora on such a grand scale visible in France was probably seen in this country also. Short quotes the alleged rain of blood as in 535. The mortality referred to was very extensive and is mentioned by Tighernac and other Irish chroniclers." Britton does not comment on the one year discrepancy in dates with Roger of Wendover. 552 July 25 Europe Newton (1972) Year uncertain. 555 England Pensey (1817) Citing appearance of lances in the air described by Matthew of Westminster. Link appears to attribute this to a comet in 556. See also Lowe (1870): In England a brilliant display. See also Johnson (1880); Clerke (1886). 555 Britain Britton (1937) p. 19 "In the year of grace 555 there was seen the appearance of lances in the north-west quarter of the heavens." Britton comments: "This account of an aurora is derived from Sigebert and may not apply to this country." 556 Europe Newton (1972) Year uncertain. 560 November 11 Europe Newton (1972) 562 Britain Britton (1937) p. 19 "Short refers to a number of phenomena in this year all of which seem to be devoid of historical foundation. He has an appearance of parhelia, an appearance which might refer to an aurora, and 'a very dark day'." Thus, very doubtful. 563 Europe Newton (1972) 567 British Isles Lowe (1870) Brilliant display. 567 Britain Britton (1937) p. 20 "The same year were seen in the air fiery spears, portending the irruption of the Lombards into Italy." Britton comments: "This account is again from Sigebertus Gemblacensis. If the aurora was visible as far south as Italy it was probably seen here as well. Short includes this aurora as in 568. "Perhaps this is the original source of the mythical events which Howie allocates to 570: The fountains ran blood at York in England; the trees also seemed on fire at London ... " 580 Europe Newton (1972) Year uncertain. 580 Britain Britton (1937) p. 20 "In the year of grace 580 fiery meteors were seen traversing the heavens." Britton comments: "This account derives from Sigebert. Probably an aurora but possibly meteoric showers. Short gives the date as 579." 582 Easter night. Europe Newton (1972) 583 to 1751 Earwaker, 3 Nature 46 (1870) Citing 1441 auroras noted by Mairan. Cf. R.G., 3 Nature 105: the Mairan data are mostly taken from Frobes, and are not reliable for displays prior to 1707. 584 Europe Newton (1972) Many this year. 585 Twice Europe Newton (1972) 585 France Clerke (1886) Citing description by Gregory of Tours. 590 Europe Newton (1972) The accompanying Easter date indicates 591. 596 England Britton (1937) p. 20 " ... at which time divers terrible and amazing Sights appeared in the Air, of Armies in Rout, with great noises of Thunder and flashes of Lightening, many drops of the colour of Blood falling at the same time in divers parts of Surry." Britton comments: "Quite legendary." 600 Europe Newton (1872) 616 October 20 China Biot (1844) Biot discusses the orientation of the magnetic meridian in China based on ancient records. Biot finds 40 descriptions which can be classified as aurora, cites only two here. 654 Europe Newton (1972) 655 Britain Britton (1937) p. 22 "Fire fell from heaven and great fear came upon men." Britton comments: "This account appears to derive from Sigebert." 659 or 660 Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "sky was seen to burn" 660 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "In the summer the sky was seen to burn.": Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 663 Summer Ireland O'Reilly (1902) The sky seemed to be on fire. Possible aurora. 664 Summer Europe Newton (1972) 670 Scotland Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) Fifth day before Easter Sunday. Cloud in the form of a rainbow stretching from east to west in a clear sky. The moon turned into blood. 670 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "A thin and tremulous cloud in the form of a rainbow appeared at the fourth watch of the night of the fifth day before Easter Sunday (stretching) from east to west in a clear sky." Scottish Chronicle. 674 Britain Britton (1937) p. 23 "In this year a thin and tremulous cloud, a kind of rainbow, appeared at the fourth watch of the night on the fifth day before Easter, proceeding from the east, and turned into the colour of blood." Britton's comments: "If 674 is the correct year the time was about 3 a.m. on March 28. Other chroniclers mention that 'the moon was turned into blood' and vary the year slightly. This phrase usually indicates in the old writers an eclipse of the moon but there was no total eclipse shortly before Easter round about this year. More probably an aurora is meant. Short says aurora appeared in March and October of this year but adduces no authority as usual." Clearly the same event as that mentioned by Johnson, above, as occurring in 670. 680 Scotland Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) Loch turned into blood. Jeremiah says this may be a reflection of the color of aurora. Doubtful aurora. 688 November 11 Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) The moon turned into the color of blood. Blood rain was also noted for this year and 685; also for 689 and 714. Milk and butter turned to blood noted for 690. 688 Scotland Mottelay (1922) Purple aurora, citing the Annals of Clan-mac-noise. 688? 690? 693? Ireland Kinahan, 3 Nature 105 (1870) Shower of blood. Kinahan says that scarlet aurora were often considered to be a shower of blood. Occurs in annals in connection with great battles or the murder of a great chief. Annals differ on the date of battle. Cf. Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870), on the difficulty of associating "blood" with the aurora. 690 Ireland Clerke (1886) "In Ireland, such [heavenly] fires turn to streams of blood." Shower of blood at battle of 690 between septs of Leinster and Ossory. 692 Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "... moon turned of a bloody colour." 710 or 714 Europe Newton (1972) 710 Autumn Great Britain Johnson (1880) "A bright night in autumn." Scottish Chronicle. This appears to be very questionable as an aurora. 715 Britain Britton (1937) p. 24 "In his Second Year on Midsummer day at Sunseting, dark Clouds overspread the Skies, and then withdrawing, the Element seemed to be on Fire; after that, many fearful sights appeared in the Air, of Armies and Monsterous Creatures; upon which followed so great a Storm that many Ships were broken to pieces in the Havens, mighty Oaks rent up, and Houses overturned." Britton's comment: "Probably quite mythical." 734 Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "... moon was as if it had been sprinkled with blood." 744 Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "... a red crucifix appeared in the heaven after sunset." The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles give the date as 743. 744 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) A terrible and frightening sign seen among the stars. 745 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) Dragons were seen during the night. 745 January 1 Britain Britton (1937) p. 25 "Fiery strokes were beheld in the air, such as no men of that generation had ever seen before and were visible throughout almost all the night of the first of January." Britton's comments: "Simeon of Durham appears to be the first native writer to mention this aurora. Tighernac, writing in Ireland a century later, is evidently alluding to it, as he has in 745 'In the night a marvellous and dreadful sign was seen in the stars.' Some later English and Irish writers date it 743. This event appears in Seller as 'great flashes of fire rising out of the Earth'. There seems to have been other notable aurorae about this time. Tighernac has in 746 'Dragons were seen in the heavens' and in 748 'Ships were seen in the air with their men'. In Fritz' list of dates of notable auroral activity all the years 740 to 745 are included. (Washington, D.C., Mon. Weath. Rev., 56, 1928, p.403." 748 January 1 England Lowe (1870) Brilliant in England. 762 Autumn Europe Newton (1972) 764 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) A terrible and marvellous sign seen among the stars. 765 Europe Newton (1972) 765 Britain Britton (1937) p. 27 "In the year 765 fiery strokes appeared in the air ..." Britton's comment: "Also mentioned by Tighernac." 773 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "In this year a red cross appeared in the heavens after sunset." 773 Britain Britton (1937) "In this year a red cross appeared in the heavens after sunset." Britton's comment: Several early writers mention this aurora with dates varying from 773 to 776." Clearly the same event and source as that mentioned by Johnson above. 776 British Isles Lowe (1870) Brilliant. 793 Northumbria, Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "... fiery dragons were seen flying in the air." Jeremiah says this is the earliest direct mention of an aurora in England. 793 Europe Newton (1972) Dragon flames seen. 793 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "Fiery dragons were seen flying in the air." Saxon Chronicle. 793 Britain Britton (1937) "Very remarkable aurorae were seen in this year as the following accounts will shew:-- In this year dire forewarnings came over the land of the Northumbrians, and miserably terrified the people: these were excessive whirlwinds and lightnings, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the air. A great famine soon followed these tokens. [citing Anglo-Saxon Chronicle] In the year 793, being the fourth year of the reign of king Ethelred, dreadful prodigies alarmed the wretched nation of the English, for terrific lightnings, and dragons in the air, and strokes of fire were seen hovering on high and shooting to and fro; which were ominous signs of the great famine ... [citing Roger of Howden] In the tenth year of king Brithric, there were seen fiery dragons flying through the air which tokens were followed by two plagues; first, a dreadful famine, and then the pagan nations coming from Norway and Denmark. [citing Roger of Howden] In this time of which I am speaking, there appeared signs in the country. First they were red, such as no man living had seen before; then spreading, they became as scarlet, and seemed near the earth. Then came great whirlwinds; then fiery flying dragons. And no one knew how to explain the storms and lightnings which men saw; some said that in their opinion they signified dear times; they did not speak a great untruth. [citing Geoffrey Gaimar]" Britton's comment: "Fiery dragons is a usual term in early writers for phenomena which are clearly aurorae boreales." 794 British Isles Lowe (1879) Brilliant. 807 February 26 Europe Newton (1972) Very bright. Date fixed by a lunar eclipse the same night. 817 Europe Newton (1972) 829 December 3 Europe Newton (1972) 836 February Europe Newton (1972) 839 March 25 Europe Newton (1972) 840 Europe Newton (1972) Two nights, probably early in the year. 841 Europe Newton (1972) Very bright. 846 Europe Newton (1972) 861 Europe Newton (1972) 871 Britain Britton (1937) p. 32 "Short refers to some phenomena, presumably aurorae. No earlier record traced." Very doubtful. 879 Africa Schove (1968) p. 95 Possibly 878. 879 Britain Britton (1937) p. 33 Some phenomena (possibly auroral) noted by Short in this year. No earlier record found." Very doubtful. 889 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) The sky seemed to be on fire the night of the calends of January. [This appears to be the same as the following one. The difference in year may be due to the year starting in March, with Jeremiah making the correction to the year starting on January 1.] 890 January Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "The heavens appeared to be on fire at night on the Kalends of January." Jeremiah also cites columns of light in 819, 850, probably not auroral, blood rains in 878, and the Loch changed into blood in 866. Also blood rain in 898. 890 January Great Britain Johnson (1880) "The heavens appeared to be on fire at night on the Kalends of January." Scottish Chronicle. 890 January 1 Britain Britton (1937) p. 33 "Chronicum Scotorum: The heavens appeared to be on fire at night on the kalends of January." Britton comment: "The Ulster Annals say 889." Clearly the same event as noted by Johnson and Jeremiah above. 890 January 1 Europe Newton (1972) 905 April 12 China Biot (1844) 912 Scotland Britton (1937) p. 34 "Howie has the following note: Four rainbows were seen in Scotland and fiery torches in the air." Britton comment: "No original reference for these phenomena found." 916 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) Terrible signs. A mass of fire, accompanied by thunder, in the sky went from west to east across Ireland. [May not be aurora, description reads like lightning storm.] 917 Ireland Britton (1937) p. 70 " Annals of Ulster ... Burning comets were seen in the sky." Britton comment: "Their date is 916 or 917. Later they refer to these 'burning comets' as 'burning flames' and they may possibly intend an aurora." Compare with O'Reilly above. 919 Winter Russia Sviatskij (1934) 922 May 11 Russia Sviatskij (1934) Citing an Arab writer, who gives the date as 12 Mukhkharam 310, and the place, now Bulgary, Spasskij uezd, Kazanskaya okruga, 55N. 923 February 1 Europe Newton (1972) 925 Egypt Schove (1968) p. 95 926 British Isles Lowe (1870) Brilliant. 926 Britain Britton (1937) p. 35 "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: In this year fiery beams of light appeared in the north sky." 932 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) The fire of the sky burned the mountains of Connaught. [Could be an aurora seen over the mountains.] 937 February 24 Europe Newton (1972) 944 Scotland Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "Two fiery columns were seen a week before Allhallowtide, which illuminated the whole world." 944 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "Two fiery columns were seen a week before Allhallowtide which illuminated the whole world." Scottish Chronicle. [Clearly the same source as for Jeremiah above.] 945 Ireland Britton (1937) p. 36 "Aurora in Ireland on October 25. Chronicum Scotorum: Two fiery columns were seen a week before Allhallowtide which illuminated the whole world." Britton comment: "Later annalists have slightly varying dates." Clearly the same event as given by Jeremiah and Johnson above. 965 Europe Newton (1972) 966 May 12 Europe Newton (1972) Chronology poor, date uncertain. 967 Britain Britton (1937) p. 36 " ... Boece's account mentions 'fiery appearances' as well, and these are quoted by Seller under 965 or thereabouts." 971 Europe Newton (1972) 975 Newton (1972) Apparently in Constantinople. 978 Britain Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174 (1870) "... a bloody cloud, oftentimes in the likeness of fire; and it was mostly apparent at midnight, and so in various beams was coloured. When it began to dawn, then it glided away." Florence of Worcester gives the date as 14 April 978. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle gives the year as 979. 978 Europe Newton (1972) 979 October 28 Europe Newton (1972) Source is often wrong by five years. 979 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "A bloody cloud in likeness of fire was seen oftentimes; and that was most apparent at midnight, and was coloured in various rays. Then, when it was about to dawn, it glided away." Saxon Chronicle. 979 British Isles Lowe (1870) Very brilliant. 979 England Britton (1937) p. 37 "Simeon of Durham: After this, a cloud appeared at midnight throughout all England, at one time of a bloody, at another of a fiery, appearance, which afterwards changed to various hues and colours: it disappeared towards dawn." Britton comment: "Several early writers note this, the years varying from 978 to 979. The Annals of Waverley quote an exact date, October 28, 979, apparently from Siegbert, which evidently refers to the same appearance." 991 Ireland O'Reilly (1902) On the night of Saint Estevan the sky looked like blood. 991 December 25 Ireland Britton (1937) p. 38 "Annals of Ulster: A wonderful sight in the night of the feast of Stephen, resembling a burning hand in the sky." Clearly the same event as O'Reilly above. 992 October 21; December 26 Europe Newton (1972) May be off by two years. 992 Britain Britton (1937) p. 38 "Short refers to phenomena (probably auroral) in November. No earlier reference traced." Thus doubtful. But compare with Newton above. 993 January 7 Magdeburg, Germany Britton (1937) p. 38 "Short refers to aurora on January 7, but is quoting Chronicon Magdeburgensis. Possibly it was seen in Britain also." 1016 Svyatapolk, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1016 Britain Britton (1937) p. 39 "John de Oxenedes refers to an appearance of aurora in this year but his account is almost verbally identical with Simeon of Durham's description of the aurora of 979. The latter date is doubtless the correct one." 1032 Europe Newton (1972) Description ambiguous. 1034 September Europe Newton (1972) 1039 or 1040 Europe Newton (1972) In southeast. [Could be lightning.] 1048 February 14 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1048 April 8 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1050? Middle East Le Strange, Palestine Under the Moslems, Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1890. Occurred on the 5th of Ab. Likeness of a window in the heavens, "through which light shone out broad and glittering, and then became extinguished." 1052 November 24 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1052 December 13 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1052 Ross-Deala, Scotland Jeremiah, 3 Nature 174-5 (1870) On the festival of Saint-George. "A tower of fire ... during the space of five hours, blackbirds innumerable going into and out of it, and one large bird in the middle of it." 1054 April 23(?) Ros-Deala, Ireland Schove and Ho (1959) Deala's Wood in S. of W. Meath. [Is this the same place as listed above as Ross-Deala, Scotland? Could it refer to the same event?] 1064 August 9 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1065 March 14 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1065 May 11 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1065 May 24 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1065 October 5 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1066 July 17 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1067 England Schove (1952) Aurora seen in Northumbria at least twice. See also Schove and Ho (1959). 1067 Britain Britton (1937) p. 44 "Gaimar records: But in coming from Normandy some of his people perished in the sea. In this year, truly, several people saw a sign; in appearance it was fire: it flamed and burned fiercely in the air; it came near to the earth, and for a little time quite illuminated it; afterwards it revolved and ascended up on high, then descended into the bottom of the sea; in several places it burned woods and plains. There was no man who knew with certainty what this divined, nor what this sign signified. In the country of the Northumbrians this fire showed itself; and in two seasons of one year were these demonstrations." Britton comment: "Anglo- Saxon Chronicle gives the date of the return from Normandy as December 6 but does not mention the auroral appearances." 1067 March 2 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1067 March 23 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1067 April 19 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1067 June 15 China 1067 July 9 China 1067 July 11 China 1067 July 30 China 1067 August 4 China 1067 October 10 China 1067 November 24 China 1067 December 10 China 1068 January 13 China 1068 February 17 China 1068 July 10 China 1068 November 18 China 1069 May 1 China 1069 July 17 China 1069 August 9 China 1069 November/December China 1070 May 12 China 1070 July 10 China Schove and Ho (1959) 1084 Britain Britton (1937) p. 46 " 'Battles in the Air' (i.e. aurorae) are given by Short but no references have been traced." Thus, very doubtful. 1090 Britain Britton (1937) p. 47 "There were aurorae in October according to Short, but no native historian mentions them or those of 1091 in Short's list." Thus, very doubtful. 1093 Europe Newton (1972) 1094 Britain Britton (1937) p. 49 "Aurorae are listed in this year by Short but no earlier reference has been found." Thus, very doubtful. 1097 Edessa; Palestine Botley (1964) 1097 Edessa Botley (1964) Citation is from Matthew of Edessa. Occurred in the month of Mareri, November 21-December 20. 1097 December 30 Antioch Botley (1964) 1098 Antioch Botley (1964) Twice. 1098 September 21, 26 or 27 Europe Newton (1972) September is the most likely date. 1098? September 27 Britain Britton (1937) p. 50 "Simeon of Durham records on September 29, 1907: A star called a comet appeared on the third of the kalends of October for fifteen days: some affirmed that at that time they saw in the heavens a wonderful sign like a burning cross. "On September 27, 1908, he records: An unusual light shone throughout almost the whole night on the fifth of the kalends of October." Britton comments: "Other early writers refer to both of these phenomena and it is quite possible that there was a bright auroral display in both years. The almost exact coincidence of dates, however, involves the possibility that the same event has been entered to both years. "Short mentions aurorae in 1099 but his account probably derives from a foreign source." 1098 October 5 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 56 Cited by author of ephemeral pamphlet on aurora of December 28, 1561. No other information. 1098 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "Before S. Michael's Mass the heaven appeared almost all night as if it were burning." Saxon Chronicle. 1098-1099 Edessa Botley (1964) Year used began February 24. Citation is from Matthew of Edessa. 1099-1100 Edessa Botley (1964) 1100 Edessa; Palestine Botley (1964) 1102 Palestine Botley (1964) 1105 December 23 Britain Britton (1937) p. 52 "[Short] refers to aurora on December 23, but no earlier note has been traced." Thus, very doubtful. 1106 Syria Botley (1964) 1106 October 11, 24 Britain Britton (1937) p. 52 "Short has notes of aurorae on October 11 and 24, and of very destructive tempests during the year but no earlier record has been found." 1110 Syria Botley (1964) 1111 Between March 24-27 Don River, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1117 December 16 Palestine Botley (1964) See also Newton (1972): date confirmed by an eclipse. See also Callier (1838), giving translation of Foucher de Chartres. 1117 December, after Christmas Europe Newton (1972) May be the same as that on December 16. 1117 December 16 Great Britain Johnson (1880) "In the night of the XVIIth of the Kal. of January (Dec. 16th) the heaven was seen very red, as if it were a conflagration." Saxon Chronicle. 1117 December 16 Britain Britton (1937) p. 55 "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: Also in the night of the XVIIth of the kalends of January the heaven was seen very red as if it were a conflagration." Britton comments: "Short quotes various phenomena on sundry dates in 1116 and 1117 which are clearly changes rung on the events recorded in these two years." 1119 Britain Britton (1937) p. 56 "Auroral displays are mentioned by Short as in this year but no authority has been traced." Thus, very doubtful. 1119 Armenia Botley (1964) 1121 Syria Botley (1964) 1122 December 7 Britain Jeremiah, 4 Nature 7 (1871) On the 7th of the ides of December. "... fire in the dawn of the day, and it continued until it was quite light." Also noted by Jeremiah in 4 Nature 47 (1871). 1122 December 7 Great Britain Johnson (1880) At sea. Great and broad fire in the northeast. Saxon Chronicle. 1122 December 7 Britain Britton (1937) p. 57 "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: Afterwards there were many shipmen on the sea and on fresh water who said that they saw in the north-east a great and broad fire near the earth, which at once waxed in length up to the sky; and the sky separated into four parts, and fought against it as if it would quench it; but the fire nevertheless waxed up to the heavens. The fire they saw in the dawn, and it lasted so long till it was light over all. That was on the day the seventh of the ides of December." Britton comment: "Short dates this vaguely as after August 26, although in another place he has it on August 26, 1121 or 1122." 1128 November 19 Europe Newton (1972) Date confirmed by an eclipse. 1131 January 11 Great Britain Johnson (1880) Like a burning fire in the north. Saxon Chronicle. 1131 British Isles Lowe (1870) Remarkable. Saxon Annals [Probably the same as the preceding.] 1131 January 11 or 12 Britain Britton (1937) p. 58 "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: On a Monday night, at the first sleep, the heaven was, on the north side, all as though it were burning fire, so that all who saw it were so affrighted as they never were before. That was on the 3rd of the ides of January." Britton comment: "In 1131 the 3rd of the ides of January fell on a Sunday so that there may be an error of a day or a year. "Short, in quoting this event, gives very confused dates. In one place he has December 16, 1131 and in another December 26, 1131." 1132 January 14 Europe Newton (1972) Date confirmed by an eclipse. 1137 October Europe Newton (1972) 1138 February 26 Europe Newton (1972) 1138 October 7 Britain Britton (1937) p. 60 "Gesta Stephani: A large quarter of the heavens was seen to emit fiery sparks like a furnace, and balls of fire of wonderful brightness, like the sparks of live coals shot through the air in more places than one. "Later, referring to the same aurora, the author says: ... having myself witnessed the hemisphere in a flame and seen with my own eyes luminous flakes floating densely in the blazing sky. "John of Worcester: On the seventh day of the month of October ... the whole firmament towards the north appeared of a red colour, and rays of various hues were seen blended and flitting." 1138 October 14, 15 and 16 Europe Newton (1972) 1138 Syria Botley (1964) 1139-1140 Syria Botley (1964) 1139 March Europe Newton (1972) Source says 7th Nones March, but there is no such day. 1141 Syria Botley (1964) 1147 or 1141 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 56 Cited by author of ephemeral pamphlet on aurora of December 28, 1561. No other information. 1149 Syria Botley (1964) 1150 Palestine Botley (1964) 1158 August 28 Ireland Britton (1937) p. 64 "Annals of Clonmacnoise: There was a great amount of fier seen in the firmament this yeare, westerly of Tea Doynn in Mounster, it was bigger then St. Patricks mount, which dispersed in severall showers of small sparkles of fier without doeing any hurt, this was upon the Eave of St. John in Autumne." 1162 September 15 Europe Newton (1972) 1170 Ireland "Aurora(?) seen in Ireland. Annals of Boyle: Near this time was seen a bow of burning fire." 1173 February 10 or 11 Europe Newton (1972) 1173 February 10 Londonderry, Ireland Britton (1937) p. 67 "Four Masters: A great miracle was performed on the night of his death, viz., the dark night became bright from dusk till morning, and it appeared to the inhabitants that the adjacent parts of the globe were illuminated; and a large body of fire moved over the town and remained in the south east; and all the people rose from their beds, for they thought it was the day; and it continued so eastward along the sea. "This aurora was also seen in England. Gervase of Canterbury records: On the 4th of the ides of February there appeared some time after midnight a wonderful sign in the sky. For a certain red color was seen in the air in the northerly regions between east and west. White rays also were traversing this redness, now slender like spears, now broad like tables, and now here and now there as if erected upwards from earth to heaven. The aforesaid white rays were like beams of the sun penetrating the thickest clouds." Britton comment: "The Scottish annalist Fordun mentions the phenomenon but he is probably deriving it from the English writers. Short mentions this aurora and adds others in November and December; no authority has been found for these." 1174 November 4 Europe Newton (1972) 1174 November 4 Britain Britton (1937) p. 68 "Ralph of Diss: The day before the nones of November, about midnight, for the space of an hour or more, the whole face of the sky towards the north part was seen to be suffused with a red color like blood." 1177 November 29 Europe Newton (1972) 1177 November 29 England Britton (1937) p. 69 "Gervase of Canterbury: In this year, on the vigil of St. Andrew the Apostle, before the first hour, there appeared in Kent a certain redness like burning flames flying in the movements of the wind. Indeed some affirmed very plainly that fiery dragons with twisted heads were seen at the same hour. Many said this sign, either dragons or burning flames or redness, appeared over the whole of England." ?1187 July Tiberias, Israel Botley (1963) Botley terms this a sporadic aurora. Based on some late nineteenth century reports of similar phenomena occurring at times of low magnetic activity I have doubts as to whether these are actually auroras. 1188 October 12 Europe Newton (1972) 1188 December 20 Europe Newton (1972) 1189 Britain Britton (1937) p. 73 "Apparently Short indicates aurorae in this year but there seems no authority for this." Thus, very doubtful. 1192 January 15 Europe Newton (1972) 1192 January England Britton (1937) p. 73 "William of Newburgh: For in the month of January, in the year in which the king fell into the hands of the enemy, we beheld a terrible portent in the sky, no doubt indicative of the affliction which was coming upon us. For about the first watch of the night, the intermediate region of the air between north and east grew so red that it appeared to blaze, as it were; though there was not the slightest cloud, and the stars were brightly shining; and these, too, were so tinged with fiery redness, and streaked with white stripes, that they seemed to twinkle with a kind of blood-stained light. After this dreadful appearance had possessed the minds and eyes of the beholders with astonishment throughout all the borders of England, for nearly the space of two hours, by degrees gently vanishing, it disappeared, leaving much conjecture concerning it." Britton comments: "Some early writers give 1193 and Holinshed cites it in 1194, but 1192 would appear to be the correct year." 1193 February England Britton (1937) p. 74 William of Newburgh: And in the month of February in the following year, while the king of England was yet detained in Germany, and the news of his captivity was not generally known in England, a portent very similar appeared throughout England, in the same region of the sky soon after midnight, when the religious orders were chanting their customary praises to God. We know that persons in different provinces were so terrified by the reflection of this tremendous redness on their glass windows, that many of them, supposing that some accidental fire had happened in the adjoining houses, left their chanting, and, marking the dreadful portent, returned to their psalmody. While many conjectures were formed on this repeated portent, the news of the king's captivity became suddenly rife." 1193 November 2 England Britton (1937) p. 74 "William of Newburgh: And, indeed, in that same year, when the king's detention had now become prolonged in Germany, and his speedy release was expected, on the fourth of the nones of November, before daybreak, the selfsame token appearing for the third time in the same region of the sky, terrified (but in a less degree) the minds of the beholders; for now they were accustomed to it, though it was the cause of increased conjecture and suspicion." 1195 September 10 Europe Newton (1972) 1202 Britain Britton (1937) p. 78 "There is an obscure prodigy noted by Short as on April 10, which might be an aurora but no earlier reference has been found, unless it is the aurora of April 1, 1204 that is intended." 1204 April 1 Europe Newton (1972) 1204 April 1 Britain Britton (1937) p. 79 "de Taxter: There was red light in the sky like fire on the calends of April which lasted until midnight and the stars appeared also bright red." Britton comments: "This is placed by Short in 1205. The phenomenon is probably the 'fiery meteors' mentioned by Seller as in John's reign." 1205 June 24 Europe Newton (1972) 1211 April England "Dunstable Annals: And then, in the month of April, at night, beyond the village of Chalgrove, there was seen a red bow in the sky, like blood. ... " 1217 Dunstable Priory, Bedfordshire, England Botley (1967) "A very large cross passing with great magnificence from west to east." 1217 October 27 Dunstable, England Britton (1937) p. 84 "Dunstable Annals: And then on the vigil of Simon and Jude there was seen by certain canons of Dunstable to be visible a certain immense cross passing through the air with a great glory from the eastern to the western parts." Clearly the same as the event given by Botley, above. Britton considers this questionable as an aurora. 1222 Britain Britton (1937) p. 86 "Waverley Annals: Dragons were seen by several people flying hither and thither in the air: and to some they were seen to be striving and fighting together." 1233 June Britain Britton (1937) p. 89 "Roger of Wendover has a fantastic account of two immense snakes fighting in the air, and one overcoming the other. This is probably a description of a display of aurora. Armies, ships or serpents fighting in the air is a very usual term in old writers to describe auroral appearances." Britton lists this as a questionable aurora. 1236 May 1 Yorkshire, England Britton (1937) p. 91 "Short refers to a prodigy which was seen at 'Rochabbay' in Yorkshire on May 1. He appears to be referring to an account of a phenomenon described by Matthew Paris as occurring near an abbey named Roche in the north of England. Possibly the phenomenon might be an aurora borealis." 1242 Lake Chudskij, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1254 January 1 Britain Britton (1937) p. 104 "Matthew Paris: Indeed, in the night of the Lord's Circumcision, at midnight, the air being most serene, and the sky covered with stars, the moon being eight days old, there appeared in the air, marvellous to relate, a kind of large ship, elegantly shaped, equipped and of marvellous color. Certan monks of St. Albans saw this appearance, being at St. Amphibalus' to commemorate the festival, and looking at the stars to see if it was yet the hour for singing mattins, and they called together all of their familiar friends who were in the house to see the marvel. It appeared for a long time as if it were painted and in truth a ship made of planks, but finally it began to disappear: whence it was believed to be a cloud but a marvellous and prodigious one." Britton comments: "This auroral display was evidently seen very early in the morning of January 1." 1263 Europe Newton (1972) 1263 July 29 Britain Britton (1937) p. 111 "Matthew of Westminster: In the same year on the fourth of the calends of August, a certain very stupendous and wonderful sign appeared in the sky in the northern parts about midnight." 1269 Gustinskaya(?), Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1269 December Britain Britton (1937) p. 114 "According to Short there were aurorae in December but no earlier account has been traced." Thus, very doubtful. 1274 December 5 Britain Britton (1937) p. 117 "Matthew of Westminster: This year on the Vigil of St. Nicholas, there was an earthquake, lightning, thunder, fiery dragons and a comet." Britton comments: "Most writers agree in dating this in 1274 but Rishanger has 1273." 1277 December Britain Britton (1937) p. 118 "Phenomena (apparently aurorae) are described by Short in December but no earlier references have been found." 1284 November 27 Dunwich, England Britton (1937) p. 121 "Everisden: At Dunwich on the fifth of the calends of December, from the third to the sixth our of this day, the sea appeared to be on fire, with not a very bright but rather a yellow flame." Britton comments: "If this was actually an aurora it was visible in daylight. 'Sea on fire' is a description sometimes applied by old authors to denote an aurora borealis." Since in daylight, very doubtful. 1286 May 8 England Britton (1937) p. 122 "Everisden: There was an appearance of two moons on the eighth of the ides of May, and in Suffolk, armies appeared fighting in the air." 1287 January 14 Bury St. Edmunds, England Britton (1937) p. 123 "Everisden: On the morrow of the octave of the Epiphany, sudden flashes of light were seen, which much terrified the beholders." Britton comments: "John de Oxendes also mentions this phenomenon and adds that it was before dawn and was followed by marine floods." Britton considers identification as aurora questionable. 1292 Nikonovskaya(?), Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1293 July 19 Britain Britton (1937) p. 128 "The Lanercost Chronicle records a remarkable appearance in the sky about dawn on July 18, which might be a very brilliant sunrise or even an aurora borealis." 1320 March Britain Britton (1937) p. 133 "Robert de Graystanes notes a prodigy soon after the death of Robert Layker on March 12, 1320, which might be an auroral display." 1322 November 4 Uxbridge, England Britton (1937) p. 134 "Matthew of Westminster: ... on the fourth day of November at the first hour of the night in the western parts beyond the city of London near the village of Uxbridge, there appeared in the air to many beholders a wonderful sign. For a certain pile of fire of the size and shape of a small boat, pallid, but of a livid colour, rising up from the south and crossing the firmament with a slow and grave motion, set its course towards the north. Out of the front of this pile another very fervent fire of a red colour and of greater quantity, similar in shape to the former, burst forth immediately with bright beams and great speed, flying through the air, which were seen quickly meeting against each other by many beholders. And by turns frequently approaching with collisions and engaging in fearful combat, the blows of which conflict and the sounds of the crashes were heard at a distance from the beholders ... " 1335 April 15 Soligaliche, Russia, 59 N Sviatskij (1934) May have been of meteoric origin, because of increased length of daylight at this season. 1347 Britain Britton (1937) p. 141 "Aurorae are noted by Short but no earlier reference has been traced." Thus, very doubtful. 1355 Summer Britain Britton (1937) p. 142 "Knighton: In the following summer appeared two banners in the sky, one red and the other blue, and in many parts of the kingdom they were seen by sundry, and they seemed to come together fighting one another: finally, the red banner defeated the blue and cast it down on the earth beneath it, as people saw." Britton lists this as a questionable aurora. 1356 January 11 Britain Britton (1937) p. 143 "Short gives a phenomenon on January 11 which might refer to an aurora. In any case, no earlier note of it has been traced ... " Thus, very doubtful. 1360 Summer England, France Britton (1937) p. 144 "Chronicon Angliae: And in the summertime of this year in flat and deserted places in England and France, and often visible to many, there suddenly appeared two towers, from which two armies went out, one of which was crowned with a warlike sign, and the other was clothed in black. And a second time the warriors overcame the blacks, and returned to their tower, and the whole vanished." Britton comment: "Some later writers have this in 1361 or 1362." "Eulogium Historiarum, a later chronicle, has under date February 25, 1361, the following note: In this year on the 25th February at midnight, in the rarefied air, there appeared a certain luminous cloud like fire, and in the brightness of it were seen men ... ." Britton comment: "Whether the undoubted aurora described in the later extract is the same as the one referred to in the former is impossible to determine." Britton has the former as questionable. 1366 January 12 England Britton (1937) p. 146 "John of Reading: In which night, there appeared in the west, after sun down until it rose again, a great redness covering the whole firmament: now bloody, now fiery white, beams were emitted backwards from it, illuminating the earth and its buildings just as if day were dawning. In which the stars twinkled more than usual ... " 1373 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 56 Cited by author of ephemeral pamphlet on aurora of December 28, 1561. No other information. 1385 July 15 London, Dover Britton (1937) p. 149 "John Malvern: Also on the 15th day of July at London and likewise at Dover, there appeared after sunset a kind of fire in the shape of a head in the south part of the heavens, stretching out to the northern quarter, which flew away, dividing itself into three parts, and travelled in the air like a bird of the woods in flight. At length they joined in one and suddenly disappeared." Britton considers aurora questionable. 1387 November and December England Britton (1937) p. 150 "Knighton's Continuator: A certain appearance in the likeness of a fire was seen in many parts of the kingdom of England, now in one form, now in another, nearly on a single night, yet in various places, throughout the months of November and December. ... And some appeared in the form of a burning revolving wheel, others again in the form of a round barrel of flame emitting fire from above, yet others in the shape of a long fiery beam, and it thus appeared in one form or another through a great deal of the winter, especially in the counties of Leicester and Northants." 1388 April England Britton (1937) p. 150 "Knighton's Continuator: In the month of April a flying dragon was seen in many places in England." Britton considers this as a fireball, or possible aurora. 1395 November and December England Britton (1937) p. 152 "There are references in Holinshed to auroral displays in November and December but on what authority is not known. Possibly they refer to those recorded by Knighton's Continuator in 1387." 1396 April Britain Britton (1937) p. 152 "Short notes an auroral display in April but no reference to any original source is made and none has been found." Thus, very doubtful. ca. 1397 Russia Sviatskij (1934) At the Simonov Monastery, near Moscow. 1415 England Britton (1937) p. 156 "The pamphlet Mirabilis Annus refers to aurorae seen in England just before the battle of Agincourt but no contemporary writer appears to mention the phenomenon." 1460 Switzerland Maurer, 32 Met.Z. 461-463 (1915) In South Germany and the Alps. 1465 Switzerland Maurer, 32 Met.Z. 461-463 (1915) In South Germany and the Alps. 1467 Britain Jeremiah, 4 Nature 7 (1871) Armies in the air. But date is questionable, as is the authenticity of the account. Also noted by Jeremiah in 4 Nature 47 (1871) 1527 October 11 Westrich, Germany; Lyons, France Hellman (1914); (1921, pps. 15, 24, 36) 1914: Description of the oldest printed illustration of an aurora. Westrich is in western Rheinpfalz on the border of Lothringen. Contains a woodcut of flames with heads and swords. " ... in wellendem Flammen sieht man Kopfe und Schwerter." 1921: The report is of a comet, but Hellman identifies it as an aurora. The same phenomenon was reported in Latin by Gerardus Noviomagus of Nimwegen. 1529 January 9 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 56, 82 Cited by author of pamphlet on aurora of December 28, 1561 (item no. 7). From 9-10 p.m.. Also cited in pamphlet on occurrence of August 27, 1581, as at 10 p.m. 1536 September 16 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in pamphlet on occurrence of August 27, 1581, as at 6-7 p.m. 1536 December 12 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 56 Cited by author of pamphlet on aurora of December 28, 1561 (item no. 7), as from 6-7 p.m. 1540-1910 Switzerland Maurer, 32 Met.Z. 461-463 (1915) Gives a count, by decades, of auroras observed in Switzerland since 1540. 1543 June 4 Wiesenthal (Erzgebirge) Hellman (1921) p. 15, 41-42 Includes woodcut: "Phantastische Darstellung, unten bewaffnete Manner und Frauen, oben aus einem Zentrum nach unten gehende Strahlen, im Zentrum bewaffnete Arme ... " -- armed men and women, rays coming from the center. The phenomenon began about 7 in the evening and lasted an hour and a half. Men and beasts appeared and disappeared in the heavens. Hellman presumes aurora. From the description I consider this very probable. 1547 September 18 Wittenberg Hellman (1921) p. 16, 44 Includes woodcut. Appeared in the morning between 4 and 5 hours. 1547 Europe Sviatskij (1934) Description in a Polish or German chronicle of battles in the sky. Location not given. 1548 February 10 Wittenberg Hellman (1921) p. 22, footnote Hellman gives the entry in a weather diary: "Conspecta est flamma ... in aere Hallae versus Magdeburgam ... per integram horam." I consider this a probable aurora. 1548 June 20 Thuringen Hellman (1921) p. 16, 45 Evening, between 9 and 10 o'clock. Lasted an hour and a half. At the end one after the other was white and disappeared. Men and animals seen in the heavens. Hellman considers this to be probably an aurora. I would say very probable. 1548 November 6 Wittenberg Hellman (1921) p. 22, 24 Weather diary says "casma". A more complete description in Latin is given on p. 24, footnote 1. Definite aurora. 1549 September 21 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in pamphlet on occurrence of August 27, 1581, as at 10 p.m. mid-Sixteenth Century Lake Kubenskoe, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1550 June Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 16, 24, 46 Woodcut shows warring armies in the air, blood rain, etc., portrayed in a fantastic manner. Hellman considers this as probably a representation of an aurora. 1551 September 2 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in pamphlet on occurrence of August 27, 1581. 1551 Novgorod, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1554 March 10 Chalons Hellman (1921) p. 16, 24, 48 Includes woodcut, which Hellman presumes is of aurora. Description is insufficient for me to evaluate. 1554 June 11 Nuremberg Hellman (1921) p. 16, 48 Woodcut shows the sun with a blood red horizontal stripe. Underneath this two groups of horsemen assaulting each other. At sunrise bloody streaks, then battling horsemen. This may be a report of a rare daytime aurora, possibly a continuation of nighttime activity. I consider this doubtful as an aurora. 1554 July 24 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 16, 24, 49 Woodcut shows a knight with a drawn sword in the clouds. Hellman considers this as probably a representation of an aurora. I consider aurora as probable. 1554 Novgorod, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1555 December 29 Bohemia Katzerowsky (1887) When the sun went down there was a wonderful reddish luminosity in the sky, and on the mountains two rainbows. 1556 August 9 Altenburg Hellman (1921) p. 16, 50 Hellman considers the woodcut to leave no doubt but that this is an aurora. I have no difficulty accepting the identification. 1556 September 5 Kustrin Hellman (1921) p. 16, 50 Woodcut shows many flames of varying magnitudes and aspects. This is certainly an aurora. Of interest is that this is probably a recurrence of the activity causing the August 9 aurora. 1557 January 7 Vienna Hellman (1921) p. 16, 24, 51 Hellman notes a lunar optical phenomenon on January 6, followed by a possible aurora on the succeeding night. I have insufficient data to evaluate, but Hellman indicates a probable aurora -- I can accept this. 1560 January 30 Reichenbach, in Saxony Hellman (1914) 1560 January 30 Bohemia-Saxony border; Reichenau, near Samitz Hellman (1921) p. 16, 24, 52-53 Also seen in many places in Bohemia and Meisanitz border area. Woodcut shows perpendicular lightrays in the sky. Definite aurora. 1560 January 30 England R.G., 3 Nature 46 (1870) Citing Lowe. Cf. Jeremiah, 3 Nature 46-47, citing Halley. 1560 January 30 London, England Lowe (1870) A fine display; burning spears. 1560 March 29 Aschre, in state of Thonna Hellman (1921) p. 16, 53 Title of pamphlet includes note of a wonderful figure in the heavens. Hellman considers to be definitely an aurora. I agree. Note possible recurrence of January 30 aurora. 1560 April 10 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in the pamphlet on the event of August 27, 1581 as an aurora. 1560 December 15, 21 Vienna Hellman (1921) p. 16, 53 Hellman notes possible auroras on the evenings of the 15th and 21st of December. Some uncertainty because of lightning storms on the 14th and 15th. Title text of pamphlet talks of frightful figures in the sky, thus probably aurora. 1560 December 28 Eckelsheim, near Forchheim; Bamberg; Lichtenfels; Nuremberg Hellman (1921) p. 16, 24, 53-54 The descriptions of the illustrations leave no doubt but that this was an aurora. See also the citation in the pamphlet on the event of August 27, 1581. 1560 Novgorod, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1561 December 28 Mid-Germany; Switzerland Hellman (1914); (1921, p. 16, 24, 55-56) This was widely observed and described. There seems to be no doubt but that this was an aurora. 1562 March 13 Wittenberg; Leipzig Hellman (1921) p. 16, 25, 56-57 Numerous descriptions leave no doubt that this was an aurora. It lasted almost the entire night. One pamphlet says from about 11 to 4 in the morning. The rector of the University in Wittenberg wrote a descriptive poem in Latin, published in 1894 in Album Academiae Vitebergensis ab a. Chr. MDII usque ad a. MDCII. Volumen Secundem. Halis. The illustrations show an auroral corona. 1562 June 6 Hamburg Hellman (1921) p. 16, 57 In the evening, after a rain, there were many phenomena in the sky from east to west, fantastically described. It was probably an aurora, and I accept it as such. 1564 February 18 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in the pamphlet on the event of August 27, 1581 as an aurora. 1564 February 19 Eisleben; Leipzig Hellman (1921) p. 17, 58 Woodcut shows aurora. One report says duration from 12 to 5 o'clock at night. Another report says in the morning from 3 o'clock, lasting five hours. Between the fiery rays colorless columns were visible. Definite aurora. 1564 June 7 On the Mediterranean Sea Hellman (1921) p. 17, 59 Seen by a Venetian fleet the day after an earthquake destroyed Cattaro. Insufficient information to evaluate. Possible aurora. 1564 England R.G., 3 Nature 46 (1870) Citing Lowe. Jeremiah, ibid. at 46-47, gives date as October 7, citing Halley. 1564 October 7 London, England Lowe (1870) Brilliant. Cites Stow. [see previous listing] 1564 October 7 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in the pamphlet on the event of August 27, 1581 as an aurora. 1567 April 7 Basel; Konstanz Hellman (1921) p. 63 Hellman notes mention of an aurora-like phenomenon on this date in his comment on the event of May 2, 1568. Possible aurora. 1567 September 1, October 23 Thuringen Hellman (1921) p. 61 Sign of the cross in the sky. Hellman attributes to aurora. I consider this only possible. 1568 March 28 Stoltz, in Voightland Hellman (1921) p. 17, 62-63 Wonderful figure in the clouds of the heavens. Probable aurora. 1568 August 17 Tundtorff? Hellman (1921) p. 17, 64 Aurora from 9 o'clock on. Definite aurora. 1568 September 25 Tundtorff? Hellman (1921) p. 17, 64, 82 Aurora after sunset. Also noted by author of pamphlet on event of August 27, 1581. 1568 September 27 Tundtorff? Hellman (1921) p. 17, 64 Aurora according to reports of reliable people. 1568 (?) November 23 Basel; Konstanz Hellman (1921) p. 63 Hellman notes a mention of aurora-like phenomenon in his comment on the event of May 2, 1568. Possible aurora. Some ambiguity in the year since the date follows immediately on a similar occurrence in 1567. 1568 December 25 Jena; Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 17, 63, 64 Description of an aurora ("fasces, sagittae et falces ardentes") about midnight. Description is in verse. Definite aurora. 1569 January 10 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Quiet (possibly) aurora around midnight (?). 1569 February 6 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Quiet (possibly) aurora at midnight. Note as possible recurrence of January 10 event. 1569 March 10 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Aurora. 1569 March 12 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Midnight aurora with three long, white, bright strands. 1569 March 31 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 A red ray in the east before sunrise. Probably not aurora. 1569 June 16 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 1569 September 10 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64, 82 Quiet aurora. Also cited in pamphlet on event of August 27, 1581. 1569 December 3 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Quiet aurora. 1570 January 12 Kuttenberg (Bohemia) Hellman (1921) p. 17, 63 Torches in the sky, lasting about four hours. Hellman says this is obviously an aurora. Definite aurora. 1570 January 13 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Quiet aurora. 1570 March 17 Tundtorff(?) Hellman (1921) p. 64 Quiet aurora 1570 March Kuttenberg, Bohemia Hellman (1921) p. 17, 64 Frightful signs in the sky. Possible aurora. 1570 Germany Hellman (1921) p. 64 Frightful figures seen in the sky. Woodcut shows an auroral corona. Part of pamphlet 2 on the event of June 14, 1570. 1571 June 6 Gnesen Hellman (1921) p. 17, 68 Woodcut includes armored riders in the air. Probable aurora. 1571 July 29 Prague Hellman (1921) p. 17, 68 Thunderstorm and aurora. Aurora at night from 11 to 1 o'clock. Horsemen and people without heads in the sky. Probable aurora. 1571 Novgorod, Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1572 January 17 Nuremberg Hellman (1921) p. 18, 70 Things seen in the sky. Definite aurora. 1573 April 11 Europe, probably Germany Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in pamphlet on event of August 27, 1581. 1573 April 23 Brussels, Belgium Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in pamphlet on event of August 27, 1581. 1573 April 25 Ghent, Belgium Hellman (1921) p. 82 Cited in pamphlet on event of August 27, 1581. 1573 November 18 Wenden, Livland (14 miles from Riga) Hellman (1921) p. 18, 72 Many men in the sky. Definite aurora. 1574 October 7 London, England Clerke (1886) Burning spears. 1574 November 13, 15 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 18, 73 Frightful burning, flaming and moving ray fires and signs of wrath in the heavens. One pamphlet mentions only the 15th. This pamphlet uses the word "chasmata", taken from Aristotle. 1574 November 14 Brunswick (State) Hellman (1921) p. 73 Describes an aurora on the night of November 14/15. 1574 November 14,15 British Isles Lowe (1870) Very remarkable displays. Cites Camden and Stow. See also Clerke (1886). 1574 England R.G., 3 Nature 46 (1870) Citing Lowe. Jeremiah, ibid., at 47, gives date as November 14 and 15. 1574 November 14-15 England Botley, 64 Quarterly J. Roy. Met. Soc. 591 (1938) 1574 November 15,16 Burton-on-Trent, Great Britain Lowe (1870) From 10 p.m. till dawn, as bright as day, most so at 4 a.m. 1575 February 13 British Isles Lowe (1870) Brilliant. 1575 England R.G., 3 Nature 46 (1870) Citing Lowe. Jeremiah, ibid., at 47, says seen in Brabant on February 13 and September 28. 1575 February 13 Brabant Jeremiah, 3 Nature 47 (1870) 1575 September 28 Erfurt; Kaufbeuren Hellman (1921) p. 18, 74 Fearful wondrous signs in the heavens. Hellman mentions parhelion in addition to aurora, so that aurora can only be considered probable but not definite. 1575 September 28 British Isles Lowe (1870) 1575 September 28 Brabant Jeremiah, 3 Nature 47 (1870) 1577 May 1 Danzig Hellman (1921) p. 18, 74 Aurora, also blood rain and a meteorite. 1578 March 28 Vienna Hellman (1921) p. 18, 75 A frightful wondrous sign in the heavens, according to the title. Hellman assigns possible aurora. I have insufficient information to evaluate. 1579 August 2 Cologne Hellman (1921) p. 18, 76 Fearful wondrous signs in the heavens, according to title. Hellman assigns possible aurora. I have insufficient information to evaluate. 1579 October 14 Danzig Hellman (1921) p. 18, 77 Burning fire in the sky. Definite aurora. 1580 June 13 Eisleben Hellman (1921) p. 18, 79 Signs in the heavens after sunset. The sky was bright and red and flickered like the flame of a fire. Definite aurora. 1580 August 16 Prague Hellman (1921) p. 18, 80 Aurora. 1580 September 10 Eisleben; The Mark; Prague; Augspurg, Germany; and Bohemia. Hellman (1921) pps. 18, 79, 80, 82 Fiery blood red and white rays running through one another, from 7 hours to around midnight. Several pamphlets. In one there is a good representation of an aurora. Definite aurora. Also cited in pamphlet on event of August 27, 1581. 1580 Europe Hellman (1921) p. 18, 80-81 General description of several phenomena. Includes a statement of the sky like fire. May refer to several of the foregoing auroras. The year appears to have been aurorally rich. 1580 Baknang, Germany Jeremiah, 3 Nature 46-47 (1870) Wurtemburg County. Observed by Mastline seven times in 1580 and several times in 1581. 1581 Baknang, Germany Jeremiah, 3 Nature 46-47 (1870) Wurtemburg County. Seen several different times. 1581 August 27 Pskov, Russia Sviatskij (1934) Another observer notes signs in the sky on previous nights as well. 1581 August 27 Magdeburg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 82 Chasmata seen in the sky the entire night. Definite aurora. 1582 March 6 Zwickau; Karlsbad Hellman (1921) p. 19, 82 Blood and fire signs in the heavens. Aurora lasted about 6-1/2 hours. Definite aurora. 1582 April 6 Augsburg Hellman (1921) p. 82 Hellman mentions a handwritten notation of an aurora on this date before midnight in pamphlet 2 on the aurora of March 6. 1582 May 14 Augsburg Hellman (1921) p. 82 Hellman mentions a handwritten notation of an aurora on this date in pamphlet 2 on the aurora of March 6. 1582 November 16 Havelberg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 25, 84 Chasmata, or fire signs, seen in the northwest and northeast. Includes woodcut of an aurora. Definite aurora. 1583 August 6, 7, 8 Wurttemberg Hellman (1921) p. 19, bet. 84-85 Wondrous signs in the heavens seen in many places. On August 6, 7, 8 "drey grosse erschreckliche Chasmata." Definite aurora. 1583 September 2 Dresden Hellman (1921) p. 19, bet. 84-85 Wonderful fire signs seen the whole night in the sky from Monday evening till early Tuesday. Good illustration of an aurora. Probably a corona. From 8 in the evening till 5 in the morning. 1586 October 28 Tachen, in Bohemia Hellman (1921) p. 87 Horse in the air over the clouds. Hellman: may represent an aurora. I consider this a doubtful aurora. 1587 End of the year Brysich am Rhein Hellman (1921) p. 19, 88 Fearful signs in the sky. Hellman believes it was an aurora. Probable aurora. 1589 May 21 Konstanz Hellman (1921) p. 19, 88 Wonderful figure in the sky in the evening. Probable aurora. 1590 January 1 Konstanz Hellman (1921) p. 19, 89 Hellman thinks possible aurora at night. I have insufficient information to evaluate. 1590 March 8 Augsburg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 89 Fearful figure in the sky. Fiery rays over the clouds. Lasted from about 8 to 2 hours, strongest about 11 hours. Definite aurora. 1590 November 12,13,14,15,16 Donauworth Hellman (1921) p. 19, 89 Wonderful figures and signs in the sky. Woodcut shows fiery clouds (aurora). Probable auroras. 1590 Augsburg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 89 Things seen in the sky. May be the aurora of March 8. 1591 Russia Sviatskij (1934) 1591 August 29 Nuremberg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 90 Good representation of an aurora. Definite aurora. 1591 September 8 Augsburg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 90 Woodcut shows an aurora with rays reaching high up. The aurora was from 7 to 9 o'clock. Definite aurora. 1591 October 5 Nuremberg Hellman (1921) p. 19, 90 Woodcut shows an aurora. Definite aurora. 1593 April 1 Hesse Hellman (1921) p. 19, 91 Things seen in the sky. Hellman thinks possible fantastic description of an aurora. I have insufficient information to evaluate. 1595 February 2 Munster Hellman (1921) p. 19, 91 Frightful wonder signs over the city. In the night three suns in the sky, through every sun a bloody sword. I would consider this a probable red aurora. 1595 October 19 Berlin Hellman (1921) p. 20, 92 Wonder sign and figure in the sky. Text refers to a sketch showing a great cross through the moon around midnight. I therefore consider this as doubtful. 1602 August 22 Chester, England Lowe (1870) "A wonderful exhalation of a fiery colour was seen over the city of Chester like a canopy, and was thought by the poor to foretell some evil." 1603 Germany? Günther (1897) Questionable. Eichler speaks of a "nächtlichen Regenbogen" [nighttime rainbow] -- this may refer to an aurora. 1615 October 26 France? Angot, 5 L'Astronomie 58 (1886) 1621 September 2 France Jeremiah, 3 Nature 46-47 (1870) This was the aurora described by Gassendi, who gave it the name of aurora borealis. Seen all over France. The actual date is September 12, so the date given by Jeremiah is probably old style. 1621 September 12 Aleppo, Syria Botley (1964) See also Clerke (1886). 1623 November Germany Jeremiah, 3 Nature 46-47 (1870) Citing Kepler. Seen all over Germany. 1623 Hungary Hedervari (1981) Twice. 1629 December 16 Europe Clerke (1886) Whole armies traversed the sky, according to Cromerus. 1642 Keinton, Northamptonshire, England F.R.A.S. [Captain Noble], 65 English Mechanic 172 (1897) Occurred about Christmas, night of Christmas day, following Saturday. 1643 January 18 (17?) Boston, MA Green (1885) Uncertain whether date is old or new style. Lights to the N.E. of Boston, "closed in one, and then parted, and closed and parted divers times, and so went over the hill in the island and vanished. Sometimes they shot out flames and sometimes sparkles." Could refer to some other phenomenon. 1648 January Yorkshire; Bristol Johnson (1894) Armies discharging against one another; a fiery meteor for several nights together. 1650 November 30 Standish, near Gloucester Johnson (1894) Questionable, because occurred about sunset. But note description: "... the sky opened in a fearful manner ... a terrible fiery shaking sword appeared ... At the point was a long flame of fire sparkling and flaming ... " 1656 February 18 Japan Schove (1951) 1656 July Japan Schove (1951) 1658 August 4 Japan Schove (1951) 1660 October 3 England Schove (1951) Not clear whether date is old or new style. 1660 October 11 England Schove (1951) Not clear whether date is old or new style. 1660 October 12 England Schove (1951) Schove thinks this may be that of the 11th. 1660 October 17 England Schove (1951) Not clear whether date is old or new style. 1660 October 30 England Schove (1951) Not clear whether date is old or new style. 1660 November 5 (or 6?) England Schove (1951) Not clear whether date is old or new style. 1660 December 8 England Schove (1951) Not clear whether date is old or new style. 1661 January 14 England Schove (1951) Date is old style. 1661 January 22 England Schove (1951) Date is old style. 1661 February 26 England Schove (1951) Date is old style. 1661 March 14 England Schove (1951) Date is old style. See Schove (1953b) 1661 March 21 England Schove (1951) Date is old style. Possibly the same aurora as March 14. See Schove (1953a,b). 1661 March 28 Vienna Schove (1953a,b) Schove questions whether the above three auroras may not have been the same display. Date here is new style. 1661 March 31 Prague Schove (1953b) 1662 June 25 Japan Schove (1951) 1662 December 20 Mid-Wales Schove (1953) Not clear whether date is old style or new style. 1676 Europe Johnson (1894) In March and September: "great lights were seen in the sky." 1687 July Paris; Copenhagen Clerke (1886) Cassini observed several in July. Horrebow saw one at Copenhagen about the same period, but for the first time. 1688 January 31 Moscow, Russia Sviatskij (1934) It is not clear whether the date refers to the Julian or Gregorian calendar. 1691 Northern Scotland Clerke (1894) "Merry Dancers" seen without surprise. 1692 December 21 New England Green (1885) Not clear whether date is old or new style. " ... 5 or 7 Balls of Fire that mov'd and mingled with each other, so that he could not tell them; made a great Light, but streamed not." Could refer to a non-auroral phenomenon.