AURORAL DISPLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23015, 18 April 1938, Page 8

AURORAL DISPLAY

YABI-COLOUBED BOW SOUTHERN SKY ILLUMINATED AFTERMATH OF SUNSPOT A fine display of the Aurora Australis was seen on Saturday between 7.30 p.m. and 7.50 p.m. Observed from Onehunga, a dull red | first tinged the clouds iri the southern j sky, which some people thought nas the j reflection of a large fire. This illusion J was soon dispelled, however, as the tints varied and the display spread over j the whole horizon and high up into the . sky. For a short period a vari-eoloured ; bow was in evidence. Ihe display faded , as quickly as it had begun. The aurora was probably a recurrence of the magnificent display which was j visible all. over the world at the end of | January, a concomitant of the huge; sunspot which was then visible, stated an Auckland amateur astronomer last night. Aurorae recur at :JS-day intervals. when the active portiun of the sun is again directed toward the earth. The aurora on Saturday evening, he said, occurred three solar rotations after the original aurorae of January 21 and 22.

BRILLIANT SIGHT XEAY PLYiIOLTH REPORT rBV TIiLKGRAPH — PRCS? ASSOCIATION - ] NEW PLYMOUTH. Sunday The aurora au>tralis made a brilliant display in the southern sky la.-t night. The predominant colour was ro>e. which threw a few drifting clouds into boid relief. The display gradually faded into a dark red before it disappeared. DUNEDIN OBSERV ATIOH IX US l*A L BM iG HTX ESS [by tei.kgraph—own corbk>poni>kvt] DTXEDIX, Sunday An exceptionally bright display of the aurora australis lit up tin l southern sky between 7.-30 and 8 o clock last night. The colour at one stage resembled ih- 3 reflection of a great fire against a dark bank of cloud. The last pale red effulgence, remained in tbf> sky for a considerable time and died completely away about 10 p.m.