406 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.
REMARKABLE AURORA OF MAY 14-15, 19221.
By HERBERT LYMAN.
[Weather Bmau, Washlngtan, August I, 1921.1
$5/.5?4
JULY, 1921
In the United States, from latitude 40' northward auroras of more or less brilliance are usually observed several times in the course of a yea:. The display of May 14-15, 1921, however, was exceptionally noteworthy in two particulars; first, its accompanying earth currenta caused the greatest demoralization to telegraphic com- munication ever recorded, and second1 i t was seen in extreme southern latitudes with all the frilliance usually observed in the north. In geographic extent it was very
widespread. Reports thus far received show that the display was witnessed from northern and central Europe westward over the Atlantic, across the United States and far over the Pacific, reaching as far south as Apia, Samoa.
The following reports taken from the press of the country will give a ood idea of the great difficulties
result of the excessive earth currents accompanying the aurora. In contrast to this state of affairs it is interest- ing to learn that radio transniission was not only not hindered but in many cases the signals were reported to have come in even better than usual.
New Yort, Mali 15, 1911.-Telegraph service throughout t!ie United States was impeded meriously last mght by an electrical ddurbance caused by the aurora borealia or northern lights. The healiest effect of the phenomenon \\as felt on the linw of the Western Union Telegraph Co. in the West and South. while those in New England. it was said, although under its influence, were nut so
bad1 a&ected. d c i a l s of the Western Union Telrgraph Co. drclared the cauw nf
the disturbance to be due to an extra voltage, which entered the wire3 at one unknown point and left them at another. The variability of the extra voltage, which did not remain constant for more than a period of
a few minutes, made it impossible to adjust the telegraphic apparatus and overcome the disturbance. A t the New York end of 3 whe which extends to Pithburgh the cur- rent varied within a short time from 30Uo positlve to 80'. The lights
of the aurora borealis were reported visible in peat brilliancy at Scran- ton. Pa.. and points between there and P$tsburgh. The e a h t disturbance to the operation of tlie telegraph by the aurora Erealis here was noted last niqht at 11.30 o'clock, when earth currents, due to the northern lights, registered 1.000 volta. The highest revious voltage recorded was 200, according to the wire chief of the 'ifeatern Union Telegraph Co. The increasing volt- of earth currents waa first noted Friday at 3 p. m.-New York Tinica, May 15, 1921. Hekm, Mont.. May 15, 19Zl.The electrical storm waa said to be the worst in the history of the Mountain States Telephone Sr Telegraph Co.'s operations in Montana. Advicea reachin here by relay from sev- eral repeating stations was to the effect that t i e storm extended in an arc from Chicago to San Franciaco and into the Pacific ocean. The
severity of the storm is indicated by the fact that for the first time in history the telegraph and cable lines to Alaska were completely out of comrmssion for a time and that Territory isolated from the outside world.
Shortly before midni ht it was learned that Denver, Salt Lake, San Francisco, Beattle, S ofane and Winnemucca, all important telegrsph points weTe completefy at the mercy of the elements. With frequency the electrrcal discha es would enter the earth from the heavens and complete1 polarize zese points of entrance. Then for a few nunutea the air adground would be clearid and an attempt to rqsume opera.tipn would be made on1 to result in failure through the continued ~t ~~t r a s
of the noeern li Kts. The condition 07 Helena mas particularly severe. For only momen-
tar^ remissions would the electncal discharge be +awn from the wirw P arizauon would be reported from Bozeman, wi+.a report iollowing immediate17 from S okane that the center of achvity had U t e d to Epkane. rhen S a i Lake would begin to report that the wire was eared and the message would be suddenly cut short before other information could be transmitted.-The Independent.
THE AURORA AND CONNUNICATION.
experienced by the te 9 egraphic and cable companies as a
COMPLETELY AT ITS MERCY.
Oprtators pu::led.-Those who saw the strange Ughta were not more piizzled than telegraph operatom between Chicago and San Francisco whose machines cut up queer capers. For a time the instrumenta clicked awav, sometimes sending what made sense and a t other times sending dashes of almost intelligence which left operatom wondering what wm happening.-&tn Fmnrisco Eraniinrr. May 15. 1931. French wires a.#ectct?.-The disturbance which interrupted telegraphic transinission in the United States last week has been making itself felt also in France. On Saturday night especial1 the operators at the central trsnamis- sion stations came to the conexision that a strange force had got into their instruments, for nothinq would go right. Morse instrumenta, instead of making dots and dashes, recorded one long line. Hughes instruments produced words in. what might have been an unknown Isnguage. and. Baudot. of which French teleoraphers are proud because it is very intncate, seemed possessed by evfi spirita. The phenomenon was first noticed in western France late on Friday evenin- and gradually spread eastward. All lines were not affected similarfv, neighboring ones behaying nomially or eccentrically from no known reason. One feature was that while earth currents were disturbed, the wire- less apparatusiss renizined unaffected.-Ncio 1"or.t Tiities, btay 18,1921. The Westcrn Vnion Telegraph Co. re orts that tlie magnetic dis- turbances accompanying the aurora on %I!& 15 blew out fuses, injured electrical apparatus. and did other things which had never been caused by any ground and ocean currents known in the past. It appears aa th011gh the corupany will probably have to send out ships to drag up the C ~J ~C S to repair the daniage produced by stra~ng currenta.-8cien- t</ic ;In:en'errn, New Tork, Usy 2S, 1921, page q33.
Srw~ster, .V. Y., bitil6iw~ biirned (is u rmdt qf static electricity aaao-
cirrted uiith the riiirorul displny of M i y 15.-Static electricity, due to the aurom Ijorealis, whidi was of unusual brilliance late Saturday xu&, 1- rosd st:ation in Brewstcr, N. Y., aifected the telegraph a3'%:phone s stem of thc entire railroad s tern, and disorganized t.he circuits of d e West.~rn tinion and Pwtafieiegraph Co.'s and put nearly all of the to]! ljne g.ircuits of the Southern hew England Telephone Co. out of
~OIUIIIISSIO~.
The electrical phsnomenou was widespread over the country, start.ing in t.lic early e;.ening in Borne parts of tho country and con- tinuing until dawn. In this section the display appeared to be a t ita height 1,etwt.cn 11 anrl.12 o'clock, and i t was at that time the static electric cauwd the fire in Rrtvst.er. Unlike other dis la\ 8 of tlic aurora borealis, the shafta of light com- pletely encircled g e city and some of the time was directly overhead. It shot ahout in varicolorecl waws, creating a beautiful and at the
mame time an awe-inspiring spect,acle. The dieturbance did not abate, according to press report.s, until the coming of dawn. The fire in t.he Iirewster railroad station started at 10316 o'clock. 0 erator Hatch wu aorlciilg at the key when a flash of flame came out o?it. He closed the key and started to pull the plu when another
h h of d m o came. Looking up, Hatch saw that L e switchboard wm in tlanies.--l)corbury Emting Neiiv, May IS, 1981.
caused a fire which tobally destroyed the Central New E
REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS.
The descriptions below have been culled out from a large number sent in to the Weather Bureau. An effort has been made to select R few representative of the several sections of the country. For convenience they
across the country from east t.0 west for each 5' o 5
have been arranged approximately in bel& extendin
latitude. Thus the first belt takes in the area between the fortieth and forty+fth parallels, the second that between 35' and 40') etc.
Hidd&ozun, Conn.-A verv bright auroral display waa observed hare on the evening of May 11. The sky waa overcast until 10 the clouds dissolved the aurora w;i8 noted in spite of the brig&%onhght. The focus of display wm near the zenith in the vicinity of the star
Arcturus. From that point streamers radiated in all directiom con- stantly changing both in position and in intensity. Acrose these streamers pale green pulmting clouds dr!fted, in general from north to south, but occasionally assuming a spiral form around the zenith. They attained their maximum brightness near the zenith where they were especially conspicuous on account of their almoat instantaneous changes in intensity.
JULY, 1921. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. 407
Bright colors were noticed during the evening, but after the moon set about midnight, pale reds and Lluestppeared un the edgea of the streamers and clouds. The display continued a t intervals throughout the night. It W ~R not more conspicuous in the north than in other directions.l-Frede&k Sloruni. Syracuse, N. Y., June 18, 1921.-On the 14th of May I waa in the university observatory showing studentti Jupiter and baturn when 1 observed a display which looked like a beautiful pointed dome in the vicinity of Saturn or higher and f‘rther esst. * * * But the next day, the 15th, I made observatims Ly measurements Ly the method 1 use. Two spota coalescing 41,ooO miles acms the longest my and a single spot 29,000 miles in diameter and 94.000 the longest way from outside to outaide of the two gmups which had both Iiawnd t1i:cent.e: at a point 4W’ to 60” north of the center I J ~ the aim’s disk. seemed to explain the display.-Prof. E. D. Roc, j r ., Syracuse Univer-
Ashland, Ohio.-There was the siiiqle and double how, the pale blue and the white li-ht, and the first estra, wliirh came a t 2::W a. ni. At that hour the nortfieast sky siindenly became red, as i f it were the reflection of a great conlhgratiriii un the cwth. l’his great red cloud moved south and then straixht west, allJllg the zenith, until it reached the far western honzon. I t relviiiied seveial minutes, a beautiful red, and then turned to a brilliitfit white light, uf sur~x~ssing beauty. A fow patches of clouds made then appexance in the sky a t this time, which added preatly to the sublimity of the srene.-S. If*. Hrci?idl, Cooperative Observer. Ames, lowa.-Against a clew moonlit sky a brilliant auroral displav waa observed between $:YO and 11)::30 p. m., May 14. The arch whirli
waa visible throughout this time except at sliort intervals, formed in our magnetic north and extended about 15O aliore the horizrin they converged to a foc:ue at a point somewhat varblJle in position but approximately 1 5 O south and west of the zenith, w1iic.h point, the magnetic zenith, became a center of radiation for the strenmers. About 15 minutes before the maximum development of the display, streaniera of red were seen to rise from tlie h~rizon a fcw degrees south of elst and to extend through the radi‘ant center tu the horizun about the same distance north of west, forming an arch along a magmetii: parallel, The maximum degree of brilliaucy was attained a t 927 p. m. [Wth
meridian timej when the streamers horn a large coronal area formed about the magnetic zenith, extending to tlie hurizon in all directions, The radial streamera were visible w i t h :kc%!&peea of the moon wlii4.h had just passed tlie fi.rst quarter. At this hme a dark area a few degrees south on the horizon closely resembled an auroral arch, hut a definite segment of a circle like that on the northern horizon could not be discerned. The ahadea, tints, and hues, changeoble and increasing from the bepinning of the observation, now bemnie more distinct and all of the Primav colors ap eared in var ring degrees uf intensity. Reappear- ing intermttentlv, t l e colore Fraduallv fded amy during the remain- ing hour of the display.2-John E. A‘nh/h, Iowa State l‘ollege. Des Mok%, Iowa.-The tirst indications of the so-called “celestial conflagration,” during the night of Nay 14-15, were observed about
9 p. m. Pale white, wavering hcanis of light covered nearly the entire Gible aky. After a niinute s;rvey of the hcavens R-as niade, it waa noticed that the “auroral arc was miming, but at a point approxi- mately IOo muth of the zenith, a vast system of pulsating, shifting, and playing ahaftu of-light converged in a quivering maw. A t t ):5 p. m.
the canopy of light wumed curtainlike tendencies with glittering columne of flame atalkiq acmes the northern horizon. A c m the mouthern, streamera of white light seemed to filter down, resembling the bursting of a gmnt star shell. At 950 p. m. an observation waa made for the northern arc, and it \vas noticed that i n the north. reaching u probably 15O, there was a bank rescnibllng an intensely pirplc c h d through which no stars could be seen. This formation waa thought a t first to be a cloud, but its appearance wag of the nature of an auroral arc, minus the light. At 9336 m. this eculiar cloud suddenly diasolved and took the usual form of tke aurorafarc. through which the stars could be seen shining brightly. Immediately the vlolent pulert- tions began radiating from the arc in the north. The sheets and streamem of light constantly played and pulsed, like puffs of breath a*mt a window pane, low down, then risin up and up and into the ever-changing colored n i w of quivering lie& slightly to the south of &e zenith.-Arthur .I. Haidle, Observer, Wiather Bureau. Drezcl, Nebr.-The aurora of May 14 first became visible in the northern sky at 9 It gradually advanced in a aeries of great arcs, assing beyond gemkenith and toward the southern horizon. This $isplay WBB the greatest and brightest of the thrce and covered the sky more completely than any ever observed a t this station. -4t 9:40 p. m. the entire sky, except a thin strip along the southern horizon, was covered with intermingling nnaes of light. The predominating color waa yellow, but splashes of red, orange, and green tints appeared a t intervals in different parts of the sky. The magnetic activity was probably greatest hetween 930 p. m. and 10:30 p. m. as the effect on telephone and telegraph instruments
*
sity.
the entire heavens.
1 Reprinted horn Sclmee New York Jonc 3 1921 pp 515-516.
a BeprLnted from Scim< New York: June 3: 192; p& 616.
~B R greatest at this time. The aurora, however, continued overhead with undiminished brightness until after midnight. A t 11 p. m. the
heavens appeared like the roof of an immense , Id-lined cave with Stalactites [curtains) of 1‘ ht extending toward t% earth. Streamem of delicately tintr?d light s o t up from eveq part of the horizon. One Omaha nempaper likened the aurora to a great tent of light that completely covered the city.” Although the moon \WR shining brightly, it passed unnoticed amid the greater brightneea of the aurora. The phenomenon continued with gradually diniinishing intensity until al)out daylight of Nay l.ith.-H. L. Chate, Observer, Weather
Bureau. Porllnnd, 0reg.-The phenomenon last night vxa said to be the most aggravating, from a telegraphic standpoint, in years. Wires which normally carry a voltaze of 150 were charged as high as 450, either negative or positive, thus giving a variation of approximately 900 volk difference in potential. Electric 1ight.s were hurning in the Western Union office with voltaqe drawn from the earth through ground wires a t Spokane and Nmpa. The diJicnte volt-millimeter needle, which
ordinarily Rtanda a t zero. wm jumping about like a compw needle, nom registerinK 400 volts positive (current flowing toward Portland), and a few second later indicating the same amount of negtive current. A t N’alla Walla t.he northern liphts wcre said to be hanging ovtr-the city much like a large umbrella, and they were reported clearly viable in other inland towns. Denver reported unaccountable comphcations due to ground wires drawing voltn.ce from the earth. The demonstra-
tion. varying in inbnpity, hm b6en constant for the last 38 hours, although the lights t.hemselves were alniost indistinguishable here last night on account of t.he hazy atnio~phere.-Or~goninn. bray 15, 1931. Across the skv a trifle t.o the west of north flashed horizontal mya of blue and red. the latter prcdoniinatinq. Be,qinning like a last fadlng ray of a glorious sunset the phenomena slowly took on chan From the topa of downtown building and vantage pointa on d%c$l% the view waa wonderful. It hcgan about 8:40 and continued until after IO. Beginning with intermittent glow in the northern sky, the sheet of reddish and white light rose, each flash being higher than the preceding. -4fter a time it seemed the level had been reached. Streamers shot high in the heavens, moving across the sky from east to west like the beame of a huge marchlight.-Joiind, May 15, 1921. Beazw, Utah, May l&15.-hca1 spectators report that the Aurora resembled, at timea. a huge fountain of fire, spouting brilliantly colored flames in every direction. A curious feature was the fact that it seemed to be moving toward the south, as this latitude, about 37O is eouth of the zone of frequency for auroral displays.-Beaver Press, hfav 20, 19%. Washington. D. P.-At 8:45 p. m. at Chevy Chase. Washingtan. D. C.. there waa visible t.hrough a emall rift in the clouds in the northeast an appreciable glow of greenish light characteristic of an auroral display. Later heavy cloitds (with B thunderstorm) prevented any view of the display.-P. F. Brooks. A t about 11 p. rn. near the navy yard (FE.), Washinqton. D. C.. a brilliant display d the aurora mas visible. The rays of llght spread in all directions from a radiant point near the zenith. I awakened wveral friends to view the spectacle, got the clerks in a neighboring dnig store to come out to see it? and telephoned to Mr. Shaw in Chevy Ohme, who reported a thundemtorm in prygess-in the sk and no aurora visible.-L. M. Pace [from conversation mth C. F. &ooh on Mav 17. 1921.1 Sari Frmeiseo. CaZv.-The aiirora bmealia, lighta of various colors in the sky, common in the north hit seldom seen aa far south aa San Francisco, startled many last night with what looked like a “shimmy of colom” in the heavens. As far eoiith aa the Mexican border electric discharge in the sky were plainly vkible. the fiwt time in hktow. according to old-time residents. Santa Fe train dispatchers say the lights were also clearly seen on the Mojave deaert. nearly all points reporting having witnessed them for the first time within the recorda of the various weather oficee.--hn Fmn-
circro Examiner, May 15, 1931. Grand Junction, h1o.-It is believed that it was a most unusual dis- play of the “northern lights” or aurora borealis, which developed een hosphorescericelike wreaths, clouds. and odd shapes in %s%,ern sty while the whole northern sky waa by turns lavender, purple, red, and light feen. It as wonderfully beautiful, weird, and aweinspinng. * * Andrew J. HalliGan, merchant police, reports that a slight displa of red aurora waa visible Friday night, but not,hing like the display Tat night. A t midni ht directly overhead there were many bright flashes which lookej like the beam of a powerful searchli ht playing acrm the heavens. It moiild wink and go out, then instant6 reappear. * * * A t midnight the whole northern part of the sky mas a brilliant pale green.-Da<Zy h7ews, May 15, 1921. Rome, Gn., Moy 14-15. 192l.-At 8 p. m. pale light noted from NW. to NNE., 15’ above horizon; general intensification of light in north at 8-35. * * * 9:54 p. m. suddenly became very bri ht in ESE; *’ *’ * 11:57 p. m. active period begins. Many rapilly changing streamers from NNE. (streamem coming from bright arch at So).
408 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. JULY, 1921
* * * 3 a. m. on1 bright light from NW. to NE. at 4O0.-EoLf. W.
Gram, jr., Tremont %f eteorological Observatory. Austin, Tez.-The aurora borealis or northern lights was visible from 9 to 10 o’clock in the eastern heavens, while an hour later a
“tequila moon” was visible. During the period of visibility of the aurora lights were seen to shoot
u from the horizon on the northeast and make an arc across the eastern
Sk: es toward the southeast. The sky was of a dull red, and the liglita shot up sometimes as many an half a dozen at a time.-Austin Amerirnn, May 15, 1921.
8an Antonio, Nay I-+.-The aurora borealis or northern lighta wa3 visible in San Antonio for more than an hour Saturday night betwwn 9:30 and 10:30 in a brilliant display of white shafts of light, patches, and spots. As far aa known this is the first time that tlus phenomvnon of the sky has ever been visible this far south. The usual hea static conditions which accompany the aurora borealis renderedxe giant radio station at Fort Sam Howton uscless at times. The shifting aths of light and sudden illumination of the eky result- ing in hundrez of calls to police hedqiiarters by citizens who, unac- customed to the visit of the northern lighh were at a 1- to detcrune the unusual conditions.-Dallas Times, May 15. 1931. Taylor, Tez-The a pearance of a hosphorescent low auiong the clouds first attracted t l e attention of t i e observer w d e watching the
~e e a of a thunderstorm in the northeast. This glow became brighter ting from the northwest to about due north and back again many times in ra id succession. It resemgled the light of a powerful searchlight, the summits of the cumuli bein of silver brightnsve. The phenomena lasted for about 35 minutes, an$ occurred between 9.15 p. m. and 10 p. m.-Tuybr Dmo- crut, May 10, 1El. Ajo, Ark-Ajo waa treated Saturda night to a magnificent eshibi- tion of the aurora borealis or northern Eghta. The wonderful spectacle w ~8 first seen around S o’clock and was viuible most of the time until a late hour. Centering to the north, it extended as far in the sky as due west, and
waa even reported seen still farther aouth. After midnight it had apread to almost, If not quite, due east. Various colors were displayed, including blood-red, blue, and orange. It appeared in detached portions, as well aa in connected portions that extended clear acm the sky. Faint rays or shafts of light were fre- quently Been extending from the horizon in the north clear to the zenith. The background reaembled clouds or d v e haze. especially in the detached portionen0 mner had one seen the li&t here than it began to fade away, and in a few seconds waa $ne, only to appear in some other place. The night waa perfectly c ear, and the wonderful visitor waa
Been at hie best.-A ’o Copper News, May 21, 1921. Phoenk, A&.-!L!he moving cutsin of light made ita appearance about 8 o’clock last evening, and continued intermittently until a late hour. The aurora appeared in the northern sky, and extended from the eastern to the western horizon. The blaze varied continually in inten- mty, and moved &from the sky, or brightened and faded, in a contjnyally changingglory of !Ight, through which the staraahone with undimmished brilliancy. At b e e there were e e e distinct l ~e s of 1’ ht, outlmed like the lower e d p of draperm, which grew bnllmnt a n d s e n lewened in intensity in an ever-varying degree of luminosity, while lo stream- em of faint light-the “ rays” which northern observers haveTescribed in connection with the ap earance of the aurora boredie-were dimly vimble, extending from $e streaks of light to the zenith.-Arizona Republican, May 15, 1921. Tucson, Ark-A very fine display of the northern 1’ hta was ob- m e d here on Saturday night, May 14, to daylight Sunfay morning. It w&8 first observed at 8:30 p. m. and waa most conspicuous in ex- tremely bright pa-tches here and there in the aka lastin8 usually not over a mmute, with 1ar e arcs crossing the nor ern horizon. It was slightly cloudy, especAly overhead and toward the northeast, but brqht patches of aurora could be seen in the west, and here and there ups of fine linea were visible, having always a slant of 60’ from the f%zontal, correspond‘ The colors were a 3 1 white, changing to a greenish tint in the northerly glows, a brilliant pearl,^ luster m the patches and an occa- sional strong red color over large mdefinite areas. The display appeared to become somewhat less intense at 10:30 p. m., but ahortly afterwards ahowed renewed activity, especially in long lines extending over large parts of the sky, which was now nearly clear, and all inting t o e a vanishing point of perspective situated about 30’ sout!?of the zenith and a little to the west of the meridian, which is the direction of our lines of magnetic force extendin toward the South Pole. This vanishing point was very beautiful ani was observed b many people. By 1 o’clock the dis lay had somewhat dimini.+el but a later view at 3:30 showed a pergctly clear sky and the ordinary arcs crossing the northerly horizon with occasional nearly vertical &earners extending upward. This wa8 observed in many other parts
The changes were often like lightnin
to the dip of the compass at Tucson.
‘Reprhted from Scfnrce, New Yak, July 1,1921, p. 14.
of Arizona and far exceeds the recollection of anything of the sort seen here in 40 ears. I have notes on four previous occurrences. One WBB
Been from %lagstaff, Ariz., in the winter of 1894-95, one waa reported ta me on November 5, 1916, and faint display8 were eeen here on October
9 and December 13, 1930. This was the first display of northern lighta for most of the people of this part of the ~ountry.~-Pmf. A. E. DoiqlaBB, Steward Observatory. May 15, an aurora of unusual brillinncy was seen 1) manv peopk of San Juan. It occurred after midniwht (of the l4tx) and lasted half an hour or more. The following descrittion waa given by Inspector of Police Doby, who in pre\ious years had witnessed a number of auroras in northern Montana and waa therefore quick to recognize this phenomenon which is so rare in Porto Rico. In fact, this was the first aurora seen here in 22 years. Here is Mr. Uoby’s zcroiint: “The sky in the north mas blightly alight and seemed filled with golden haze. Five great bars of extra brightness, extendin from the horizon to the zeniih, starting from a
common axis, with fiver& arcs about equal, extended through the golden haze and gave a wonderful effect.”
8zinng Baizk, Gordon Town, about 6 miles to norUleast of Kingston, Janmica.-On Saturday evening, May 14, at 10:40 p. m., the northern sky was filled to an altitude of 50’ with a ruddy glow, which appeared something like the reflection of a tremendous bush fire, but approximated rather to a crimson color. At the same time shafts of orange light were projected from hehind the hills, coveriw about GOo of the northern sky,
in azimuth, and reaching an altitude 01 40’. Each shaft of light waa like the beam of a searchlight, ita edges sharply defined, but waa less diffused, i. e., the beam waa of more nearly the same breadth throughout its length. The more remarkable feature waa the constancy of the shafts of light. There waa no movement noticeable during the 20 minutes or so during which they were under okrvation. At one time 16 shafts were counted over the sr of about 60° in azimuth, and these remained steady for a considera le time. This appears the more remarkable when we remember the latitude of observation lSo north.-Geui. A. W. Twkcr. Negri1 Point Lighthouse, West Jainaica.--On Sunday, 15, at 12:45
a. m., a strange light from the north-northwest and north msa seen b the keepers on the horizon. It was yellowish white, and resembled: from the description given, the aurora borealis or northern light. I t was seen for some little time alter 1 a. m. Sunday, but how long the keepere can not my, as it did not intereat them very much, and they thought i t may have beenasearch1ight.-J.B. Brownhill, superintcndtn~. Jforant Poant L’ hlhouse (lo Ihe east ol Jamaica).-The aurora borealla
-9 seen here on funday (15th) morn1 from 1 to 2 o’clcck. There was a rosy flush in the northern sky. an? at 120 a. m. the “lances of light” appeared, reaching upward to 5O0, alternately fading and bright- ening until 2 a. m., when the aurora faded out.-Ch. Dumant, superin-
iendmt. Cam’bean Sea, south of Chba.-On the ni lit of May 14 Lieut. &tram, of the U. S. Navy tu A€ ontealm. observefi a brilliant aurora. British 8. S. ‘‘Antiflian ’ (Capt. W. E. Wood).-May 14, at lop. m., ~hlp’s time. Position, latitude 23’ 07’ N., longitude 86O 33’ W. Course 541’ true. Barometer 29.87 inches, temperature 79’ F.; wind E. by N., 3; clouds A-cum. from southwest, amount 9. 9:50 p. m. observed peculiar color effect in sky in northeast direction from ship. Small portion of !ky showed a decidedly reddish-brown color, which lasted about 10 mnutes and resembled ver much the reflechon of a
iire, except that light was steady and not fliclering. From midnight on the 14th to 2 a. m. on the 15th sky to the north and northeast bn ht 88
though dawn was breaking, lo streaks of light continually &ing,
sometimes from about 20’ a l t i t s e to the zenith. The streaks of li ht were parallel to each other, not radiating from a center. Color of &y
in that direction similar to that reported earlier in the evening. Moon set at 1230 a. m. This waa apparently a display of aurora borealis.- Observer A. T. Wbod, third oficer. Sinaloa, Mmiw.-The northern light display of May 14 waa very plainly visible from the me= here-only a few miles from the Tro ics. The Indiana have been firing the forests to hasten the advent ofthe summer rains, and wben I first observed the glow along the sky *e formed bv the Sierra Elladre I thought they were indul in theu propitiation of the gods on a rather larger scale than usu$“PThe glow began ahout 8 o’clockc and the rays were fmt visible about 15 minutes later. They were whte to ale yellow in color, ever-changing in form, location, and brightness. &any of them appeared to reach an east- weet great circle through the zenith, those low down in the eastern sky appearing longer. The apparent focus was several degrees east of north4-J. +ay &ndky. Nora Pa@ Ocean.-News of a remrtrkable diaplay of electrical phenomena last Saturday night, May 14, was brought to Honolulu to-day by Ca t. E. Petterson, master of the Matson freighter Hyades, which arrivefthis morning from Puget Sound after a voyage of 12 days Capt. Petterson made public a letter which he has mailed to the locai United States Hydrographic Survey for ita information, and which describes the display as follows:
6an Juan, Porto Rim.-Early Sunday mornin
‘Reprinted from Science, New York, July 1,1921, p. 14.
JULY, 1921. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. 409
“May 14, at 8 p. m., in latitude 33.18 N., lo tude 146.44 W., tem- perature 62, barometer 30.38. On this partic% evening I observed numerow bright streaks which resembled the aurora borealis, in a north and south direction covering about two-thirds of the heave- and
giving the northern portion of the sky a peculiar reddish tint. “During this time the sky was very clear escepting the northern close to the horizon. At 9:16 p. m. the streaks disappeared, the north and eastern part of the sky very red for about 15 mn- en gradual1 getting fainter until at 10:45 p. m., when it com- pletely diaappeand” Capt. Petterson says the display was a magnificent one and that the rays resembled a great battey. of bearchlights, lightm up the clouds with a pure white color. The rays were white, but tke sky was red. He sap he has never seen anything like it in all the years he has been on the Puget Sound-Honolulu run.-Honoliil~~ Star-Bulktin, May 19,
1921. Apia, Samoa.-In the evening, between 6 and 7 p. m.. a display of the aurora australis, a usual accompaniment of these magnetic disturb- anca, waa observed. It was an extremely bright dieplayy, as otherwise i t could not have been seen at all in the moonlight. and it is also a very rare event to see this phenomenon in latitudes near the equator. It is
to be espected that news from the outside world ml1 menbon inter- ference with the work of submarine cables and telegraphic xork gen- dy.--Samoa Tim& May 28, 1921.
The following is a portion of a comniunication by Dr.
A. L. Cortie in Nature, London, June 3, 1931, pp. 4%-
427.
On May 8 there ap eared on the sun’s eastern limb an equatorial sun spot in a region whicE has been without disturbance for Eome comider- able time. It was an active spot which had separated by May 12 into two large spots. The maximum area of the grou was 16.5, in unita
1/5000 of the sun’s disk, and this was attained on bay 14. * * *. The mean heliographic latitude of the earth during tho passage of the group across the sun was -2.F’. ‘lherefore, not only waa there a large actwe sun spot on the sun, and with the penumbral character whch frequently marlis spots associated with magnetic disturbance, but also the earth was very favorably situated with regard to it. Under such conditions a great magnetic storm is heyitable.
WATERSPOUTS ON LAKE ONTARIO.’
55/. 5 9 (285: By ELLIS GAY.
7/ : 73) [~ultneyvil~e, N. Y., ~u g . 5,1921.l
I observed this henomenon from Gates Grove, on
Pultneyville, Aug. 2nd. The weather conditions seemed peculiar-heavy cumulus clouds over the hoxizon, prac- tically no wind; but about 9 a. ni. a heavy swell from the northeast cornmenced, which I thought indicated a dis- turbance in that dkection! alt.hougli we could see no line of wind, as is often the case. About 11 :30 a. m., I noticed on the eastern horizon what I thought to be the smoke of
a steamer, “hull down,” but could make nothin of it with the glass. As our eastern view is partial1 kdden
vdle 75 miles) aid no further attention to it for a
directly in front of the cottage, almost due north. There waa a smokelike disturbance on the surface of the lake of considerable size, and rising from i t was a thin ribbon- like streamer which widened gradually until i t was lost in the clouds. This streamer was visible against the low- han ing cumulus clouds which lay beyond it, as well as
in t % e small portion of the horizon which was clear. As I could not tell how far awa it w-as, there was no way
f Other observers guessed a mile high.) Through glasses
a rotation could be plainly discerned, and though there was a diversity of o inion, I am convinced that it was counterclockwise. l i i e spout traveled from east to west at a good rate of speed, probably 40 to 60 niiles per hour. While we were watching, another spout was formed ap-
lake shore about ha r f way between Nine Mile Point and
by a oint, I should guess that i t was about off $ ultney-
few minutes &ss t E an lo), when I again looked, it was I
of estimating the hei ht of t 91 e cone, although I should uess it was 3 to 5 mi Ei es out and a t least 1,000 feet high.
1 Waterspouts are rarely observed on the llrcnt Lakes. The only previous spout on Lake Ontario oi which there is B rcrord orcurred on fept. 19, M9. Spouts were reportod on Lake Erie, off BMalo Breakeatcr, h u g . l9,1919.--Ed.
proximately a mile from the first. I saw the column reaching down from the clouds finally touch the surface and make a disturbance similar to the original one. Later we saw a third column reach down; but i t did not come to the surface. Two complete and one partial spout were visible a t one time. They seemed to melt away when they were a few miles west of us. The dura- tion of our observation was about five minutes. The sky in the most below the cloucls showed a decided cop er
storm somewhere north of Charlotte. The phenomenon had entirely disappeared a t 12 m. From all the data I have been able to find on the sub- ject I am satisfied that we saw waterspouts.
tint, and it looked as though there might be a thun B er-
ANOTHER OBI;EEVA‘I‘If1N OF WATERSPOUTS.
By HOME^^ B. BENEDICT.
(Brorkpnrt, N. Y., bug. 23,1921.1
In the Rochester Dentoerat cG C‘7moriicaZ for Aug.’ 5th, I saw an account of a waterspout seen on Lake Ontario east of Rocliest,er on Tuesclny, Aug. 2nd. To corroborate the fact. that such a henomenon was
a wat,erspout or cyclone on t,his same da.t,e, over the lake about the miclclle of the forenoon, nt my farm in the town of Hanilin, abou t twenty niiles west CJf Charlotte. My attention wns first cdletl t.o it by my son and others, calling to come out and see a st.r.znge cloucl. When I reached the la.wn I found a11 t.he nienibers of the fa.mily collected, mntching t.liis mpsterious cloud. It did not last long. This cyclone cloud or wat.erspout, so-called, reached from the horizon line more t.han half way to the zenith. My first thought was R c.yclone, for it was a very awe- inspking sight and it seemed as if it might come towards where we were standing. Instead it moved westerly a.long thelake. At the point where it touched the water it looked a.s if smoke wtre misin from the water, which
I do not believe that the cloud it,self was composed of water, as-it disappeared suddenly, without an 1na.s~ of water fallmg into the lake! so far as we coulcl see, K ut at the point where it t,ouched the water t.here was evidently a great dist,urbance. One could imagine a great ele- hant’s trunk, reaching from the sky to the water’s sur- race. At the upper end it was funnel shaped or cone shaped, and then ran in a narrowing form to the water line. I t was a swirling streak of cloucl, and as we stood watching it, wonderin what was to hap en, it parted
other gradually disappearing towRrd the lake; and then
as if by magic it came together again in a narrower form, but still reaching from the wat.er t.o n great haight in the clouds. Rut a.11 the while one could see what looked like smoke arising where the end of the cloud touched the water, and even when the cloudy pillar had disa peared
The day was rather sultry and the clouds looked like thunder ca.ps. Shortly after the cloud disa peared waves rolled in on the beach, showing that t31ie l a d been tossed up by the wind, but on shore we ha c9 felt no unusual amount of wind. I also read an account in some pa er. I can not tell
cloud on this same day, which lasted fifteen or twenty minutes. -4s I said before, the one in front of our cot- tage lasted but a few minutes. I ani told that there were others at Straight Lake who saw the cloud.
seen, I wish to state t.hat my f:i.mily anc P myself saw such
we decided was the water sucliec f up by the wind.
in the middle, part %awing into the c P ouds and the
t,he smoky spot could be seen t.raveling up the la R e.
where, that Howard Palmer of Union R ill saw a similar