Letter by H C Russell, 28 March 1871
347
Sydney Observatory
28 March 1871
Dear Sir
I am very much obliged for the information you were kind enough to send. I am most anxious to collect information about auroras because I think the[y] will yet indicate important scientific truth after which we have to work and wait so patiently. The aurora here was unusually fine and followed by a faint display the next evening.
Yours very truly
H. C. Russell
Revd J H. Rowsell
Dapto
Letter by H C Russell, 16 March 1871
328
Govt Observatory
16 March 1871
My dear Capt Hixson
In reference to our conversation this afternoon the chief points of interest in auroras are as follows:
1st The Time first seen and end: any repetition the same night and the times observed
2nd The color or Colors and whether these change
3rd The altitude of the upper limit of the aurora, in parts of the distance from the horizon to the Zenith. If the observer can remember that this distance is called 90 degrees, and estimate the height as so many degrees so much the better.
4th The Form whether diffused light streamers or an arch or any combination of these
5th If any motion or dancing be seen. to note how much it moves and how often giving the time it ?? seen
6th If any haze or clouds are seen and their position and time of observation
7th The Points of the Compass where it appeared to end.
8 The weather following and any remarks the observer may like to add.
If you think I have asked too much strike out any part you like. For I shall be glad to have
[The next page in this letterbook was not a continuation of this letter, so it appears a copy of the next page was not made.]
Sydney Observatory
2 October 1871
Dear Sir
I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 18th and also of the ‘Report of the Smithsonian Institution 1868’.
I am now making an effort to learn how meteorological changes progress here. At present we only know that it is in an easterly direction as in other parts of the world. but the rate of progress is very uncertain. it is as difficult to find observers in our far west?? who take any interest in such matters and have at the same time the experience to enable them to take trustworthy observations.
If you have published any hand-book ?? photographed?? recently?? I shall feel very much obliged if you can send me a copy as we cannot get such American works here without a special order for them as there are but few readers.
In my abstract for 1871 I published a list of auroras seen here during the year. the number is far greater than ever recorded here before, and some of them were seen over a very wide extent of country.
Believe me
Yours very truly
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer
Joseph Henry Esqr
Sect S[mithsonian] Institution
June 5th [190]0
The Secretary
Societe de Geographie
Paris
Sir
I duly received your letter of March 24th 1900 and I am very pleased to learn that the Society desire to have my small contributions to Geography.
I am sending to post with this letter. Four pamphlets on “Current papers in the Southern Hemisphere”.
2 Papers on Icebergs.
1 on Auroral display.
1 on Lord Howe Island Climate.
1 on the source of the underground water in Western Districts N.S.W.
1 Annual Rainfall Report 1897.
1 Meteorological Report 1890.
1 Periodicity of Good & Bad Seasons.
1 A Great Meteorite.
1 Australian Weather.
I have sent the Meteorological Report and the Rain Report as samples and if the Society de Geographie would like to have a complete set of the Rain Reports for 1878 to 1898 at first only a pamphlet of 6 pages these you will find give an annual record of the Inland Rivers I figures and in diagram.
I remain your sincerely
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer
