AURORA AUSTRALIS DISPLAY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22082, 3 May 1937, Page 4

AURORA AUSTRALIS DISPLAY

TO THE EDITOB OF THE PBKaS Sir, —On the night of Wednesday, April 28, there occurred a very large display of the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. Unfortunately, conditions here in Southland were very cloudy, so that little of the display was seen. Accordingly, for a complete study of this aurora to be made, it is necessary to have reports of from any districts where it was viewed under favourable sky conditions. Should any of your readers, therefore, have had the opportunity of observing it, I should be very grateful for reports from them. Similar appeals in the past have resulted in excellent records being obtained in this manner, and have assisted the promotion of aflfroral work in New Zealand very considerably. In making a report the following detaus should be given wherever possible:— fl) Time and place of observation. (2) Condition of the sky. (3) As exact a description as possible of the form of the display. (In this connexion a rough sketch will be very helpful, especially if the positions of some of the prominent stars visible at the time are shown.) (4) If they can be given correct to within two or three minutes, the times at which any significant developments, such as the appearance or disappearance of rays, oc-

curred, will be very helpful. Even the briefest of reports will beof value and will assist materially In the study of the display. Reports should be forwarded to me at my addressSouth Hillend, Winton R.D., South-land-Yours, etc., M,' GEDEJES. Director, Aurorae and Zodiacal Light Section, .New Zealand Astronomical Society. 1 South Hillend, April 29, 1937.