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.

William Whiston

Date:: 1716

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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$* [3-5] louts &s Sre feen in Rainbows* when they are at their brighteft; thefe* with their feveral Colours and Motions to the Right and Left* with their Eagernefs upward as the Flames of a fierce Fire : fo did all thefe do their Office* which was very ffrange to behold. I give thee this, that thou may’if confider what the Meaning may be, know¬ ing thou haft a Mind to enquire into Things both fecret and manifeft. I pray God blefs us* and keep us from all Evil*which is the Prayer of Thy Servant* &c. LETTER VI. Friday* March 9. 1717. Upton upon Severn, Wcrcefter[hire. About 7 on Tuefday Evening there appear’d Streaks of Red* Blue* Green* &c. not unlike thofe of a Rainbow* but the Colours not fo ftrong, nor fo broad* but intermix’d like Colours of a Prifm ; the Streaks were of different Lengths, and in- terfpers d here and there from about 20 Degrees above the Northern Horizon* (and fo from North- Weft to North-Eaft) to about 90 Degrees* (for none appear’d on the Southern Part of our He- mifpherej but as it were, determin’d, in the Ze¬ nith ; continually moving and fliifting place* darting and contracting, or rather changing their Colours, as they were differently enlight- ned ; but I took little Notice of this, thinking ic was produc’d by the fame Caufe, as is the Rain¬ bow* or from the Sun’s Rays refracted, and fo thought no more on’t. But about an Hour* or Hour and an half after* I heard the People were in a great Confternation* and that it continued ; upon* which I went out* and made thefe follow¬ ing Obfervations. The$

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