Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1892 — RED GLOWED THE SKY. [ARTICLE]

RED GLOWED THE SKY.

A FINE DISPLAY OF THE AURORA BOREALIS. The Northern Heavens Illuminated as They Have Not Been Before in Many Years The Phenomenon as Seen in Many Cities Marvelous ‘Succession of Iridescent Hues. Shone Over the !Land* The aurora borealis was generally visible the other night, and was witnessed by thousands of people. Many stood stock still in the streets and gazed with all their eyes at the sky, while others looked from their windows until they had cricks in their necks. Everybody talked about it. The cause of all this commotion was not an ordinary; everyday northern lights by any means, but an aurora borealis the like of which nobody but the oldest inhabitant ever beheld. In the first place, it was magnicently large. It filled a full quartei of the heavens, extending over the segment of the circle between the northwest and northeast. Its base extended nearly to the horizon line, and its apexes at times touched the zenith. The rapid shifting of the great tongues of light was an added feature, but the crowning glory of the aurora borealis was its color. Many have been seen, but they have usually been of the clear white light one is usually wont to associate with the crystal seas of the frozen north. This one was a display of gorgeous coloring. The light varied from pure white to the color of a fall sunset. One minute the whole northern sky would be vestal white and the next as angry as the low-hanging winter clouds over a big fire. In fact, at times the tongues died away, leaving only a fierce red glow that made people in the southern suburbs think that a tremendous conflagration was raging down town. Then the glow would soften and lose its angry hue and turn to lovely pink, and ofter passing through marvelous gradations of hue become vestal white again, with tongues shooting to the very zenith. The aurora departed as suddenly as it came, and left the stars doubly serene after such vivid and varied brilliancy. The interesting phenomenon was accompanied by an electrical storm which, while not severe, was widespread. The exact connection between the two and their origin are mysteries which electrical science has as yet been unable to clear up. The appearance of this particular storm was first noticed early in the afternoon, when the telegraph wires between Chicago and St. Poul began to work imperfectly. Its influence was felt in the working of the telegraph instruments for a few minutes at a time. Then they would respond to the operator’s touch in regular manner again, thus indicating that the storm moved in waves. The storm was at its height from 5 p. m. to 7 p. m., during which time it was found necessary to abandon, in some cases, the duplex system, which requires a nice ad justment of batteries, and confine the sending of messages to the single or ordinary method of telegraphing. This was especially true of lines between Chicago and 'Washington and Chicago and Pittsburg. The magnificent aurora borealis was scientifically observed at the University of Michigan by Astronomical Director W. J. Hussey, who reports as follows: “The brilliant red rose aurora visible to-night was not altogether unexpected. In a general way auroras have been predicted for about this time. To-night’s display naturally io’lowsthe appearance of the great sun spot which has been visible during the last week. Other auroral displays may be expected in the near future.” Dispatches show that the phenomenon was witnessed at New York, Louisville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Detroit, Indianapolis, and at Illinois and lowa points, but not at St. Louis, Kansas City, or Menjphis. At Cincinnati it was first supposed that the city of Hamilton, twenty-five miles north, was on fire. Though not seen at St. Paul or Minneapolis, the aurora was plainly witnessed in Milwaukee.