Very few showed any signs of colour, and those only the slightest tinge. Nearly all that were observed gave the citron-line with the small pocket spectroscope with more or less distinctness, though no signs of any other lines were ever seen; but on only two occasions was it bright enough to get the line with Nury’s spectroscope, and then only for such a short time that a satisfactory measure could not be obtained.
Then follows a descriptive list of the Auroræ seen, from which I have selected three of the finest, viz. January 2nd, February 14th, and February 19th, 1876.
January 2nd, 1876. Lieut. Parr. Floeberg Beach.—9 P.M. Streams of Aurora. Stars shining brightly.
Register. Discovery Bay.—9 P.M. Observed an Aurora like a pale band of light in the form of an arch whose centre was on the true meridian and 15° from the zenith. It shortly afterwards broke up into feathered edges, their direction being a little to the eastward of the zenith. The arch grew fainter, and shifted to the eastward of the meridian four points; the left extremity of the arch faded away, and the right assumed the shape of the folds of a curtain doubled over. The weather was clear and calm. The display lasted upwards of 30 minutes.
A spectroscope, one of Browning’s 8-in. direct-vision, was directed towards the Aurora, but the light was not sufficient to give any spectrum.
The temperature was -39°. Barometer 29·56 inches. No wind. Clouds stratus 2. Eight meteors were observed during the time the Aurora was visible.
February 14th. Register. Discovery Bay.—At 2 A.M. a faint Aurora passing across the heavens from S.E. to S.W. was observed, like an arch of a pale colour. It lasted only a short time, and was very indistinct. Temperature -47°. Barometer 30·44 inches. No wind or clouds.
Lieut. Aldrich. Floeberg Beach.—2 A.M. A faint Aurora towards the S.W. Weather calm. Cumulus-stratus clouds 3. Temperature -46°. 8 P.M. Faint flashes of Aurora in the E. and S.W.
Lieut. Aldrich and Lieut. Parr. Floeberg Beach.—11.50 P.M. A moderately bright arch of Aurora extended from due N. to about S.S.W., where it terminated close down to the horizon in a crook turned to the eastward. In a few moments a streamer flashed from the end of the crook parallel to the first and right across the heavens, its edges being quite sharp and parallel to each other. A third streamer shot up a minute afterwards, but did not extend more than 80° upwards. The streamers were visible for a very short time, the first remaining longest. The second-named arch gradually faded away till within a few degrees of the S.S.W. horizon, and (still being a continuation of the crook) bent round to the eastward, and towards the horizon, going on to what was left of the stump of the third arc. A lateral motion to the eastward now began, the whole body gradually turning round until it disappeared about due south. Stars were visible through it at its brightest, but not very distinctly. This is the most intense and variegated Aurora we have experienced, but scarcely any colours were to be seen. Temperature -51°. Barometer 30·43 inches, stationary. Calm weather. Clouds cumulus 1. Preceded and followed by calm weather.