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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[44] Circamftances, which perhaps may not be very material; and yet by comparing Obfervations, may determine, whether the fame individual Thing was feen at two very diftant Places0 Ye- fternight I coming home froth a Friend's Houfe in this Town about 7 of the Clock in the Even¬ ing, was aftoniflied with an unufual Crepufcu- lar Brightnefs in the Eaft, whither my Face was dire&ed, and the more becaufe I knew the Moon was not near its Rifing. In lefs than a Minute I obferved this to increafe fenfibly and to a prodigious Degree, in a Manner as mani- feftly as a Blufti in a Man's Face, but not quite fo fuddenly, which alarmed me a little, and put me upon ieveral Guefies at the Occafion (it may be fome Advantage to the Defcription, to tell you I imagined it the Light of fome quick Fire in the Neighbourhood, as of Straw or fuch Materials). When I had walked about a Stones Throw in this Amufement, I remarked fome ob- feure Streaks in the Brightnefs, like the Streams of falling Rain feen at a Diftance. But imme¬ diately my wandring Eye being dire&ed very intently towards Heaven, difeerned a Vb^nome- non, which my little Philofophy cannot account for. About 20 Degrees from the Zenith, on the Worth North-Eaft (this Eftimate being taken from the Pofition of the Church againft which I was paffingj appeared a Circle of more glorious Light, whole Diameter I judged to be about 17 Degrees of the Prime Verticle ; the Extremities on all Sides were more obfeure gradually than nearer the Center. But in the Middle (extend¬ ing about three Times the Diameter of the Sun) was an Obfcurity, like that of a thick Cloud rowling with a remarkable Commotion as if difturbed

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