An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A.

  • Whiston, William, 1667-1752.
Date:
1716
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [,8] ftantaneous. One Appearance there was indeed, which gave great Aftonifliment: The Sky grew very Light on a hidden ; and from the feveral Parts of the Heaven, the Light collected it feIf into fo many feveral Points, which (with great hafte) flew unanimoufly toward a Center, which feem’d directly over the Town. When thefe pointed Lights met, they formed a Figure juft like the Star which our Noblemen wear (this is the neareft Image I can give you of it) or to a Mariner’s Gompafs. ThS Light at this Meeting was prodigioufly great, though not lafting; when the feveral Points feem’d juft upon each other in the Center, they appeared to clafht with great Fury, then retired, feemingly half a Dozen or Ten Yards, then flew on again; parti¬ cularly the Points from the Eaft and Weft, which perfectly, as it were, fought and run into each other, which always gave the greater Brightnefs. At this Mixture,there appeared all the Colours of - the Rainbow; and the Good Wives are making Dreadful Prognofticacions of what will follow this unufual Sight, Thefe Appearances yet con¬ tinue, and have for fome Hours, more or lefs. I fuppofe it to be nothing elfe, but an extraordi¬ nary, tho’ accidental, meeting of Vapours and Exhalations in the Air, which thus collected have produced this Effecft ; which however I am fure you5!! hear very terrible Defcriptions of, and therefore I fend you this Account to poffefs you at once of the whole Affair. LET-