[NSSDC note: The following text is taken from xerographic copies of journal articles, after scanning and editing. The degree symbol, where it appeared in the original, has been replaced here by the abbreviation "deg". Hand-written annotation line(s) added to the hardcopy by the provider are indicated by being preceded and followed by a line containing "-----". We have added page numbers in square brackets.] [1] ----- March 7, 1918 Popular Astronomy, vol. 26, p. 277-8, (1918) ----- The Aurora of March 7. -- A brilliant, auroral display was observed quite generally throughout the United States on the night of March 7. The following are some of the reports which have come to hand concerning it: ----- Northfield, MN 44.28 -93.11 ----- AT NORTHFIELD. The display was on when twilight darkened and was still active at 10:45, when our watch upon it ceased. A great green arch extended from the western horizon at azimuth 100 deg to the eastern horizon at azimuth 280 deg, passing over the constellation Orion in its course. The arch was wide enough to more than cover Orion. It drifted slowly southward until the lower edge covered Sirius. A narrower arch of the same color occasionally formed and disappeared about midway between the great arch and the southern horizon. Above the great arch was another arch of changeable color, red, yellow and greenish white, composed apparently of nearly vertical streamers, converging by perspective toward a point from 5 deg to 10 deg south of the zenith. This arch was very bright red, especially toward the west in azimuth 105 deg, where it persisted during nearly the whole of the hour from 7:15 to 8:15, after which clouds intervened for a time. During part of the time this arch passed over the Pleiades and Castor and Pollux. Toward the north the auroral display was less brilliant, but there was a low green arch and many comparatively narrow streamers of red and yellowish color converging toward the zenith. At nine p. m., when the clouds partially cleared away, the red display had ceased and the green was less active, although it covered a large part of the sky. About 9:35 the red display again became active, but was mostly in the northern half of the sky. The great green arch in the southern sky broke up and almost completely vanished. Later the whole northern half of the sky was filled with streamers, mostly green, converging toward a point 10 deg south of the zenith. A 60 deg prism spectroscope was turned upon the bright green arch and showed the auroral line as very strong, with four fainter lines almost equidistant from each other, the fourth being near the position of the F hydrogen line. The line at E was invisible or exceedingly faint. When the spectroscope was turned on a very bright red streamer one line could be seen in the red, not far from the C line of hydrogen. My impression was that this line was farther than C from the aurora line, but I had no means of measurement at hand. At times I thought I glimpsed a line in the yellow also, but I could not be sure of this. As such auroral displays are usually associated with extraordinary activity in the sunspots, we took advantage of the next clear day to examine the sun's surface. On March 11, the first opportunity after March 7, a large group of spots was noticed near the central meridian of the sun on the northern hemisphere. The group was approximately 100,000 miles long and the chief spot nearly 20,000 miles in diameter, showing evidences of violent internal motions. H. C. Wilson [2] ----- March 1918 Iowa ----- AURORA OF MARCH 7, 1918. One of the most spectacular displays of the aurora borealis ever observed in this state occurred on the night of March 7. Newspapers report the display in nearly all portions of the United States and in northern Europe. At Des Moines it became noticeable about 7:20 p. m., in the form of an arch of light in the northern sky at an altitude of about 25 deg. This rapidly enlarged, became brighter and rose to an altitude of 60 deg by 8 p. m., the width of the arch being about 20 deg and extending from the eastern to the western horizons. About this time the flickering streamers of light known as "merry dancers" began to appear: also vivid colors, green predominating in the north and northeast and crimson in the northwest. About 9 p. m. large areas of light appeared in the south and gradually formed a continuous arch of light at an altitude of about 30 deg, known as the "auroral corona." At 9:30 p. m. the entire heavens were ablaze with hues and shafts of light that rapidly changed into forms of endless variety, the predominating thing being shafts of whiter light that rose from the horizon at nearly all points except a small arc in the south, and converged at a point a little, possibly 10 deg, southwest of the zenith. About 10:30 p. m. the display began to diminish, but some signs of it remained as late as 1:30 a. m. of the 8th. At times the light of the aurora was nearly equal to that of the full moon. Telegraph service was much troubled by the magnetic effects of the aurora. Similar descriptions were received from observers in all portions of the State. Mr. J. H. Spencer, Meteorologist, Weather Bureau, Dubuque, Iowa, adds: "Another prominent feature was the many distinct patches or groups of light, resembling thin, whitish clouds. They were most numerous overhead and looked like cirrostratus clouds of irregular shape. There was a decided contrast between the clear sky and the cloud-like patches. Where there were no patches the stars shone with much brilliancy, but through the cloud-like patches the stars shone only faintly." Prof. J. L. Tilton, Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, states that, "Overhead was what appeared to be a faint grayish cloud forming a band about half way across the sky from east to west. This band slowly drifted southward and faded away when across Orion. * * * * * If this was a cloud it seemed related to the aurora in cause. Other bands of a similar character appeared with some degree of regularity, several of them completely arching the sky from east to west, all traveling slowly, almost imperceptibly, toward the south, some not fading away till within 15 or 20 degrees above the southern horizon. These moving patches and arches were visible all through the evening, even when the white streamers met overhead. For a time three parallel bands were in sight, each requiring half to three-quarters of an hour to move from the zenith to beyond Orion." C. D. R. [3] ----- March 1918 Missouri ----- AURORA BOREALIS. A remarkable auroral display was observed from all parts of Missouri from about 6:30 p. m. to 10:30 p. m. March 7. The weather, as a whole, was clear and fine, and it was the most brilliant display of northern lights that has been observed from Missouri in many years. The phenomenon as observed from Columbia. Mo., Section Center, first attracted attention about 6:30 p.m., being then represented by bars of light in the northern sky of varying degrees of luminosity, showing distinct coloring up to about 35*, a diffuse yellowish light being the most prominent, however. In the Northwest there was a dull red spot, that at times seemed to grow brighter at the same time sending out a streamer or faint band toward the north or east. By 8 p. m. or a little after, the whole northern sky seemed a reflection of a fire of some great city. So noticeable was this, that the entire population of our city was out viewing the spectacle. The Weather Bureau's telephone was ringing constantly, the callers wanting an explanation of the northern light, many asking what great city was burning. By 9 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. the streamers grew longer and brighter, apparently reaching almost to zenith, turning the sky to a rosy red: in the northeast the light seemed to be bluish. The maximum luminosity probably was reached at about this time (9:30), for soon after the coloring began to fade, and by 10 p. m. was not noticeable to any but a careful observer. ----- Columbia 38.55 -92.19 Birchtree Caruthersville 36.09 -89.41 Fayette 39.09 -92.41? Kirksville 40.12 -92.35 Louisiana 39.24 -92.03 Macon 39.42 -92.29 Mexico 39.09 -91.5 St. Catherine Unionville 40.28 -92.56 Warrensburg 38.45 -93.42 ----- ______________________ Observers' Remarks. [NSSDC note: seven lines have been omitted in various places below; they were lined out by the data set provider because they deal only with weather observations, not with aurora.] Fayette---The month was unusually dry: only 5.57 inches precipitation during last six months. Northern Light 7th. Kirksville---A wonderfu1 Aurora Borealis night of the 7th; all colors of the rainbow. Louisiana --- Bright red and yellow lights in northern sky evening of 7th; resembled large flag. Macon---Heavy wind damage on the 9th. Northern Light 7th. Mexico---Curious streamers of light visible in northern sky evening of 7th: blue turning to red 8 to 10:30 p.m. St. Catherine---Great Aurora in north evening of 7th; extended from east to west. High winds on 9th, blowing over hay ricks. Unionville---Very brilliant Aurora observed evening of 7th. High wind on the 9th. Caruthersville---Brilliant Aurora in the north 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the 7th. Birchtree---The most brilliant Aurora Borealis I ever saw was observed on the 7th. Warrensburg---On the 7the, there was a great display of Northern Lights. Three distinct arches were visible, extending to the zenith. [4] ----- March 1918 New Mexico ----- MISCELLANEOUS PHENOMENA. A very brilliant and beautiful display of aurora was seen by many observers over our eastern counties on the evening of the 7th. The display filled a large part of the northern sky and was visible from about 7:30 till 10:30 o'clock. It was visible as far south as southern Roosevelt and northeast Otero counties. ----- Otero Co. 33.22 -106.15 G Roosevelt Co. ----- ----- March 1918 Ohio ----- AURORA OF MARCH 7. 1918. By Howard H. Martin, Observer. The auroral display visible from sunset to nearly midnight of this date, of such unusual intensity, color and duration, was without question, the grandest display of the "Northern Lights" afforded this state in many years. ----- Columbus 40.00 -83.00 ----- At Columbus, the phenomenon was first noted at 8 :05 p. m. 90th Meridian Time, at which moment a white and green band appeared in the North, at an altitude of about 40 degrees. By 8:15 p.m., the northern band had climbed the sky to about 50 degrees altitude and there was a perceptible flickering in the extreme western limb. A new band appeared in the south. By 8:25. the northern band had become somewhat dimmed. A band on the zenith of pale green showed perceptible fluctuations in intensity and during three minute paled and brightened four times. By 8:35, the light was diffused over the northern sky, with faint quiverings toward the Northeast. At about 8:40, a rose of five large and distinct patches of green and white light became apparent and held for thirty minutes in the East, at an altitude of about 45 degrees. One large patch sank from the zenith to below the southern horizon. After 9 o'clock, the northern sky became red, which glow increased in intensity until a fiery hue was attained. This lasted until about 9:45, after which the display slowly died out, probably passing entirely from sight by 10 o'clock. The phenomenon was observed by many over the State, thirty-eight observers reporting same, and the Bureau is indebted to its cooperative observers for the following comprehensive and valuable notes: ----- Wapakoneta 40.35 -84.10 ----- Wapakoneta, Auglaize County: The Aurora Borealis on the night of March 7th was noticed from 8 to 10 p. m. At first it showed a mass of white light in streaks above a bank of clouds along the northern horizon. About 9 p. m., bright purplish-red masses of light appeared in the Northwest and Northeast, moving gradually to the South, and which looked like great fires in the distance. About 9:30 a new mass of red light appeared in the North, spreading to east and west, gradually disappearing by 10 p.m. It was a wonderful and beautiful sight. -- Wm. Kayser, Observer. ----- Waverly 39.07 -82.59 G ----- Waverly, Pike County: Northern Lights or some other light phenomenon was the attraction and delight of the citizens of Waverly to- night. The lights appeared about 7 p. m., and continued until after bed- time. The light phenomenon extended over about two-thirds of the canopy and the light colors were scarlet, light blue and white, of intermittent great intensity. and changing positions frequently. -- Peru Hutt, Observer. ----- McConnelsville 39.38 -81.51 G ----- McConnelsville, Morgan County: It started about 6:30 p. m., reached the climax at 8:15 and slowly died away until 10 p. m. Early in the evening a few faint streamers of pearl grey rose tremblingly, wavered, then sank to the horizon again. This was the beginning of the big show. Slowly the steel grey color increased until the whole North was suffused with the pale light, extending half-way to the zenith. In both West and East was a vivid bank of red which as it rose, became pink, finally merging into the grey at approximately 15 degrees, which continued for some minutes, then slowly faded. The grey became silver and extending clear across the zenith was a series of detached patches which resembled clouds. These were visible for quite a while. But, when at 8:15 the red reappeared, the long, sinuous streamers tipped with the palest of green was the chef d'ouevre of the display. -- C. H. Morris, Observer. ----- Dayton 39.45 -84.15 ----- Dayton, Montgomery County: An unusually brilliant auroral display occurred on the 7th beginning about 7 p.m., and continuing with varying intensity till near midnight. Early in the evening a band of white light extended across the sky about 30 degrees above the southeast horizon. At 7:30 p.m., a second arch at about 45 degrees about parallel with the first, appeared, and the latter became greatly intensified and very bright. The 45 degree arch disappeared about 7:45 p.m., and bright spots appeared in the eastern sky and streamers reaching to about 90 degrees. At 8:45 p.m., streamers reached across the sky from northwest to southeast and at 9:30 o'clock the display reached its greatest brilliancy the sky becoming a rose red. The entire display began at azimuth 105 and ended about 290 degrees. -- R. F. Young, Meteorologist. ----- Denver, CO 39.44 -104.59 Knoxville, TN 35.58 -83.55 ----- The lights were reported from New England to Denver, Colo., and as far south as Knoxville, Tenn., and in point of magnitude, the display will probably rank among the greatest. In point of beauty, it may easily rank first, exceeding even the magnificent display of October 18, 1909. [5] ----- March 7, 1918 Peru, NE 40.28 -95.44 Popular Astronomy, Vol.26, p. 279, 1918 ----- Peru, Nebraska. We were favored here on the evening of March 7 by a magnificent display of Aurora Borealis. As soon as it was dark enough to see it, a great arch of pearly light appeared spanning the northern horizon, the center seeming to be a few degrees to the east of north. Here and there the arch would thicken and swell up like a great wave of light, from the crest of which streamers of greenish white, lavender and red would shoot up, reaching and even passing the zenith at times. As a climax these streamers would fuse into another arch which would drift southward and dissolve, leaving usually a cloudy mass of greenish white or rose red light at the northeastern and northwestern ends of the arch. This phenomenon was repeated many times, until finally the new arch passed the zenith and reached as far south as the belt of Orion, almost coinciding with the equator. The most wonderful displays came from 9:30 to 10:00 o'clock when the colors ranged from pearly white. to greenish yellow, lavender, rose red, crimson and cerise, until the whole northern half of the sky was lurid with variegated flames. The great constellations Leo, Orion, Taurus, Auriga, Cassiopeia and Ursa Major were swamped but not annihilated by the gorgeous hues. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars did not swerve a hairsbreadth because of threatening flames, though many were frightened by the fiery glare of the latter through the crimson light and were convinced that it had erratic movements. At the climax, two great streamers of pearly white light, much like gigantic comets, appeared in the northeast and northwest, reaching two-thirds the distance to the zenith. After ten o'clock the exhibition gradually waned, until it was hidden by clouds about half past twelve. Altogether this was the finest display of Aurora ever recorded in this latitude. W. F. Hoyt. Peru State Normal School, March 11, 1918. ----- Des Moines, IA 41.35 -93.37 Popular Astronomy, Vol. 26, p. 279, 1918 ----- Des Moines, Iowa. It was a beautiful clear night here and my first observations began at 7:30 and continued until 12:00 o'clock. I do not believe I have ever witnessed any auroral display comparable to it. The whole northern sky was aglow. The great arches extended at times almost to the zenith and the streamers at right angles to these arches reached well beyond the zenith. The prominent colors were green and red, the same color of red as we get in a feeble discharge with a hydrogen tube. I exposed some photographic plates. One was exposed toward the South ten degrees below the equator and was so badly fogged at the end of forty- five minutes that I could hardly distinguish any stars on it. If it was clear at Northfield, you probably got a better view of it than I did here. D. W. Morehouse. [6] ----- March 7, 1918 New Bedford, MA 41.35 -70.55 Popular Astronomy, Vol. 26, p. 278-79 (1918) ----- New Bedford, Mass. I am sending you a report of the most wonderful auroral display I have ever witnessed, and an occurrence which, I think, is exceedingly rare in such a low latitude (roughly +41 deg 30'), thinking it might be of interest to your readers in general and particularly to those making a study of this phenomenon, that they may make comparisons with reports from other observers of the same display elsewhere which doubtless will come to their attention. The display occurred last evening (March 7th) lasting for several hours, the most active part of it being between 10 and 11 p. m., E. S. T. The heavens had just cleared after a snow storm which had lasted all day and the air was unusually still and quite crisp, the thermometer standing at 20 deg F. At 10:30, when the activity was at its height, the entire northern sky was ablaze with greenish white light with countless streamers continuously darting up towards the zenith, the light being almost as bright as moonlight. But the activity was not confined to the northern sky by any means. The entire heavens, with the exception of a space of about 30 deg from the southern horizon, was covered with a luminous cloud- like formation very similar to the familiar "mare's tails" except that they were constantly changing form, appearing and disappearing, streaks from north, south, east and west converging in one small spot a little south of the zenith in the constellation Leo, just east of the Sickle. Very gradually, while all this was at its height, a faint orange red (in some places pinkish) glow appeared, arching the entire heavens from east to west. This glow slowly deepened in color, advancing from light red successively through vermilion and crimson in different parts of the sky, until it vanished in about half an hour's time as a very deep purple barely distinguishable from the ordinary color of the night sky. All through this beautiful glow the greenish light constantly waved and shimmered like a silk flag blown out by the breeze. The peculiar part of the display was that at the north, where the greenish light was the most vivid, there was not the faintest trace of the red glow, that not commencing until an altitude of 60* or more was reached, while it descended all the way to the horizon in the east and west. The display made quite an impression in new Bedford, the newspaper offices receiving repeated inquiries in regard to it. Vincent Francis. 4 Sears Street, New Bedford, Mass., March 8, 1918. [7] ----- March 7, 1918 Popular Astronomy, Vol. 26, p. 350, (1918) Wellesley, MA 42.18 -71.17 ----- The Bright Aurora of 1918 March 7. -- On the evening of Thursday, March 7, 1918, occurred the brightest and most interesting display of the aurora borealis that has been seen in New England in many years. As early as 7:15 (Eastern standard time) a faint greenish light was observed near the northern horizon. It grew in area and intensity, and by 7:40 the usual dark arch of the aurora of the aurora was visible, with streamers extending through Ursa Major and Cassiopeia to an altitude of about 40 deg. About 7:40 a bright rose-colored cloud appeared about Perseus. which persisted several minutes. On the right of the rose-colored cloud was an area of bright apple-green. These clouds soon disappeared to give place to others, and the aurora increased in size, brightness and activity until nearly eleven o'clock. By nine o'clock bright streamers were to be seen in all parts of the sky so that the sky was as bright as if illuminated by a full Moon. The climax of the display was reached about 10:45, when the red light was so bright as to cause a conspicuous glow on the snow that covered the ground. At that time the streamers converged to a point a little south of the zenith, in the constellation of Leo, and formed there a beautiful crown of light. The predominating color at this time was red, but there were many bright green areas scattered over the sky. The streamers were never still, but undulated gracefully while rapid pulsations of light swept across them. The prevailing direction of the motion of these pulsations seems to have been from east to west through the zenith. In a general way, this aurora seems to have exemplified the typical aurora described by Trouvelot in 1882 (The Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings. Manual by E. L. Trouvelot. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1882. Page 28). The spectrum of the aurora was seen here by a number of observers with a Browning pocket spectroscope. The usual bright line in the green was easily seen throughout the display, and when the aurora was brightest three other lilies or bands which were too faint to locate accurately were perceived in the blue or violet. When the spectroscope was turned toward the rose-colored areas, a bright red line was also conspicuous. On the following day, the Sun was examined for spots, but there were none of unusual size. John C. Duncan. Whitin Observatory, Wellesley, Mass.