AURORA AUSTRALIS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 143, 18 June 1915, Page 8

AURORA AUSTRALIS

♦ — A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. Wellington people were afforded tho opportunity of witnessing the Aurora Australis last night. The spectacle waa one of great grandeur. The Acting-Government Asti-onomer (Mr. C. J. Westland) supplies The Post with the following note upon the phenomenon :— " The display of the Aurora Australia observed in Wellington Jast night was almost continuous from 7 until 11 p.m., bat only attained conspicuoaa brilliancy at three periods, viz., 7.10 p.m., 10.10 p.m., and 10.30 p.m. The first of these was merely a diffused glow of rosy light rising to a height of 18deg. above the southern horizon. About 8 p.m. the more conventional arch formed, having an altitude of about lOdeg. at its highest point, and about 9 p.m. a few pale streamers could be seen in the south-east. But at 10.10 p.m. fully a doaan long bright streamers appeared together and stretched upwards as far as the star Gamma Hydri, 26deg. above the horizon. The upper parts of these were of a rich rosy tint, but the lower parts were pale, like tlie arch itself. Four of these were extraordinarily bright and have left a distinct impression on a photographic plate exposed for one minute. The scientific interest of the display lies in I its probable connection with the recent aun spots. One group of 6pots was almost on the central meridian of the sun yesterday, which means that it was opposite to the earth about tho time the Aurora appeared."

i Owing to v the mistake which arose in connection with the judging of the band contest at the Newtown Park Carnival, ! the Band Committee, at a meeting last evening, decided to recommend the executive of the Patriotic Society to hold another contest, and that the prizes be handed back to the executive. Tenders are invited for the purchaao of the freehold of the Royal Hotel, Feathcrston. Members-- of the Central Mission Band arc requested (<> attend j inhering to bo bAld in Mr H, Bake vis ohou, M&ttnftr* ■JtiSS&Jik '•#! .o'clock thifl «a«uaje.^ t