Meteorological observations and essays / By John Dalton.

  • John Dalton
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Meteorological observations and essays / By John Dalton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    257/280 (page 231)
    England and Scotland, so as to afford a base of much greater length. I collected the accounts of these observations, and the result of them will be found in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, for 1828. The height of the arch was found one hundred miles or upwards. Several auroral arches have been seen since the one from which I deduced the height of the meteor in 1826; but I have not met with better data than those which I used on that occasion. Some stric- tures on that Essay appeared in the Philosophical Transactions for 1829, which I did not think re- quired any animadversion, as far as regarded the author of that paper, supposing that a little more reflection and experience would amply satisfy him. But as persons of established reputation in physical and mathematical science have imbibed notions so very opposite to mine, and so nearly allied to those of the author above alluded to, in regard to the height of the aurora borealis, I shall here make a few observations on the subject. Ido not however wish it to be understood, that I apprehend those strictures to have influenced their judgment. After a suitable introduction, Mr. FarquHARSON adverts to the ‘“‘numerous observations” he has made on the aurora, and particularly to one ob- servation, which ‘appears decisive of the question of height.” Mr. F. next quotes a paragraph from the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, vol. vin. page 303, April, 1823. In this he has endeavoured to convey his own ideas on the nature, and con-