Abstract
LAST evening (October 21) at 5.45 p.m. I observed four huge radiating arms of faint white light, like the spokes of a gigantic wheel, rising from a centre apparently on the west-south-west horizon, and extending almost to the zenith. I say apparently on the west-south-west horizon, because an intervening house prevented me from seeing the nucleus of the diverging rays. The aspect of the phenomenon was more suggestive of an aurora than anything else I know of, but the beams of light seemed to be quite stationary, and although I fancied their brilliancy increased at one time for a few moments, I cannot be sure. Other fainter rays appeared to me to divide the west-south-west sky with those I have mentioned; but on that point I am also not sure. The sun set at 4.53 p.m., and twilight ended about 6.43 p.m., at which time the appearance I have attempted to describe was no longer visible. The sky was heavily clouded.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
B. Atmospheric Phenomenon. Nature 22, 607 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/022607c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/022607c0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.