aurora: 1921

MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW.

REMARKABLE AURORA OF MAY 14-15, 1921.

By HERBERT LYMAN.

[Weather Bureau, Washingtan, August 1, 1921.]

Sunny Bank, Gordon Town, about 6 miles to northeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

-- On Saturday evening, May 14, at 10:40 p. m., the northern sky was filled to an altitude of 50° with a ruddy glow, which appeared something like the reflection of a tremendous bush fire, but approximated rather to a crimson color. At the same time shafts of orange light were projected from hehind the hills, coverimg about 60° of the northern sky, in azimuth, and reaching an altitude of 40°. Each shaft of light was like the beam of a searchlight, its edges sharply defined, but was less diffused, i. e., the beam was of more nearly the same breadth throughout its length. The more remarkable feature was the constancy of the

shafts of light. There was no movement noticeable during the 20 minutes or so during which they were under observation. At one time 16 shafts were counted over the space of about 60° in azimuth, and these remained steady for a considerable time.

This appears the more remarkable when we remember the latitude of observation 18° north. - Lieut. A. W. Tuckcr.

Negri1 Point Lighthouse, West Jamaica. -- On Sunday, 15, at 12:45 a. m., a strange light from the north-northwest and north was seen by the keepers on the horizon. It was yellowish white, and resembled, from the description given, the aurora borealis or northern light. It was seen for some little time alter 1 a. m. Sunday, but how long the keepers cannot say, as it did not interest them very much, and they thought it may have been a search1ight.- J.B. Brownhill, superintendent.

Morant Point Lighthouse (to the east of Jamaica). -- The aurora borealis was seen here on Sunday (15th) morning from 1 to 2 o’clcck. There was a rosy flush in the northern sky, and at 1:20 a. m. the “lances of light” appeared, reaching upward to 5O°, alternately fading and brightening until 2 a. m., when the aurora faded out. - Ch. Durrant, superintendent.