{"id":4050,"date":"2020-05-16T04:13:37","date_gmt":"2020-05-16T04:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/?p=4050"},"modified":"2020-05-16T04:14:43","modified_gmt":"2020-05-16T04:14:43","slug":"great-geomagnetic-storm-of-may-1921","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/2020\/05\/16\/great-geomagnetic-storm-of-may-1921\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Geomagnetic Storm of May 1921"},"content":{"rendered":"

At SPACEWEATHER.COM an essay about the geomagnetic storm of May 1921 <\/a> sparked my interest (pun intended.) I went to the California Digital Newspaper Collection<\/a> a did a search. Below are some of the results:<\/p>\n

Sacramento Union, 15 May 1921 \u2014
\nARCTIC LIGHTS VISIBLE IN VALLEY
\nVagabond of Northern Skies
\nFlashes Brilliantly Over Sacramento.
\nCAUSES WEIRD RUMORS
\nTelegraphic Communication Between
\nCoast and East Is Prostrated.<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, May 14.\u2014The vagrant Aurora Borealis paid a startling visit to the Pacific coast tonight, being visible as far south as the Mexican border for the first time in the memory of old residents, completely isolated the region from the eastern portion of the United States by disrupting all telegraphic communication and sent residents of the southern Pacific coast section flocking to the roofs of sky scraping buildings for their view of the sky splendor. <\/p>\n

PLAINLY SEEN AT SAN DIEGO. The Borealis\u2014or Northern Lights\u2014 supposedly due, according to scientists, to electric magnetic influences in the rare upper atmosphere\u2014was seen plainly, according to reports, at San Diego and several points surrounding that city, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Stockton and other points.
\nAt Boulevard, a small mountain town between San Diego and the Imperial valley, near the Mexican border, reports were that it was exceptionally brilliant spectacle. All telegraph companies reported their facilities prostrated from the coast eastward. Communication was maintained up and down the coast, but all efforts to turn the lines of communication toward the east were unavailing.
\nThe radio \u2014 particularly susceptible to atmospheric disturbances \u2014 remained singularly untouched by the magnetic influences responsible for the lights. The navy and other wireless operators reported the atmosphere comparatively free of static troubles.
\nAppearance of the phenomenon in California resulted in several rumors of earth destruction. At Kingsburg, Cal., reports were circulated that the air was \u201cfilled with smoke and ashes.\u201d At San Francisco the display was particularly brilliant and the roofs of downtown office buildings and hotels were dotted with persons engrossed in watching the lights. <\/p>\n

STOCKTON, May 14.\u2014The aurora borealis became visible here at 9:30 o’clock tonight. <\/p>\n

BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.
\nSAN DIEGO, May 14.\u2014The aurora borealis was visible from several points in the county surrounding San Diego tonight. At Boulevard, a small town in the mountains between San Diego and the Imperial valley, near the Mexican line, it was reported as a brilliant spectacle. Another point at which it was visible is Escondido, about 35 miles north of this city. Old residents declared they had never seen a similar spectacle. KINGSBURG, Cal., May 14.\u2014Reports that the air \u201cwas filled with smoke and ashes\u201d were circulated here tonight as the result of the display of the aurora borealis. Many theories were advanced to account for the brightness in the sky. Residents turned out by the hundreds to watch the manifestation.<\/p>\n

Aurora Borealis Frightens Indians
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

SAN BERNARDINO, May 15.\u2014Appearance of the aurora borealis Saturday night caused the Indians on the Colorado desert to become panicstricken, according to reports brought here today. The phenomenon, as seen from desert, was declared to be of rare beauty. In Big Bear valley, in the San Bernardino mountains, the lights puzzled hundreds of people spending the week-end at the resorts. The reflection of the lights on the surface of the lake made the scene the more spectacular. The altitude in Bear valley is 8000 feet, the result being that the sky there appeared half ablaze.<\/p>\n

ARCTIC LIGHTS VISIBLE IN VALLEY Vagabond of Northern Skies Flashes Brilliantly Over Sacramento. CAUSES WEIRD RUMORS Telegraphic Communication Between Coast and East Is Prostrated,<\/p>\n

Forsaking its haunts in the Arctic Circle, Aurora Borealis, the vagabond of the heavens, flashed brilliantly over Sacramento and the surrounding valley last night. The electrical phenomenon rivalling the Southern Cross in its splendor, reached the height of its kaleidoscopic display at 11 p. m\u201e fading slowly shortly after. Not in the memory of the oldest inhabitant had Sacramento before witnessed a display of the Northern Lights. The spectacle drew hundreds of people to the roofs or buildings in the downtown section. Telegraphic communication was postrated. <\/p>\n

Sacramento Union, 16 May 1921 \u2014 Aurora Borealis Cripples Wires
\nNEW YORK, May 15.\u2014Electrical influences exerted by the aurora borealis, or northern lights, believed to be caused by an unusual sun spot or spots, continued today to play havoc with telegraph traffic throughout the United States. Beginning Friday night wire chiefs reported this natural phenomenon had injected extra voltage into their wires, causing \u201cearth currents” and interrupting traffic. The same conditions continued throughout Saturday and became increasingly intense Saturday night, causing one of the severest disturbances known in thirty years. For more than an hour before midnight Saturday nearly every telegraph wire leading from New York and Chicago was out of condition. Ocean cables were slightly affected. Curiously, however, the disturbance seemed to strengthen wireless signals<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sacramento Union, Volume 220, Number 17, 17 May 1921
\nFire Caused by Aurora Borealis<\/p>\n

BREWSTER, N, Y., May 16,\u2014A fire which destroyed the Central New England railroad station here Saturday night was caused by the aurora borealis, in the opinion of railway officials. Telegraph Operator Hatch says he was driven away from his instrument by a flare of flame which enveloped the switchboard and ignited the building.<\/p>\n

Sacramento Union, 21 May 1921
\nPOWER TROUBLE CLOSES MILL.<\/p>\n

WEED, Siskiyou Co., May 20.\u2014 Power trouble, due, it is believed, to the aurora borealis, caused a temporary shut down of the Weed mills. Necessary repairs have been made.<\/p>\n

The recent invasion of the aurora borealis was accompanied by serious derangement of the Atlantic cables. The wisest of us are but kindergarten students after all.<\/p>\n

Sacramento Union, 29 May 1921
\nThe Second street philosopher says that the visit of Miss Aurora Borealis from her residence in the Arctic is responsible for the unusually cool weather.<\/p>\n

San Bernardino Sun, 14 May 1921 \u2014 Page 1<\/p>\n

Fine Display Of Aurora Borealis<\/p>\n

(By Associated Press Leased Wire)
\nPORTLAND, May 13.
\nA display of the aurora borealis or northern lights was plainly visible from here tonight, extending entirely across the northern sky and flashing intermittently from darkness into a broad white strip or luminous and then back again. The display lasted about an hour. Interruptions to telegraph wire service at intervals during the evening were attributed to it.
\nCOLORS VISIBLE IN SHOOTING RAYS
\nSEATTLE, May 13 Seattle was treated to an unusual display of northern lights early tonight, with the skies lighted over all this section. Early today colors were visible in the shooting rays, which is said to be unusual this far south. Frequent brilliant flashes of white rays lighting the heavens at frequent intervals were visible tonight.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Herald, 14 May 1921<\/p>\n

Aurora Borealis Seen in Portland<\/p>\n

PORTLAND, Ore.. May 14.\u2014A brilliant display of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, was plainly visible here, extending nearly across the northern sky, changing intermittently from darkness to flaring colors. The display, which lasted nearly an hour, is said to have caused interruptions in the telephone service.<\/p>\n

San Bernardino Sun, 15 May 1921 \u2014
\nAURORA BOREALIS HERE FIRST TIME IN HALF CENTURY
\nHeavens Aglow With Northern Lights and Thousands Gasp at Spectacular Phenonenom;
\nEspecially Brilliant on Desert;
\nAffects Telegraph Communication to East
\nAurora Borealis or northern lights played across the heavens here last night, for the first time in more than 50 years and thousands of people all over San Bernardino county watched the phenonenom.
\nThe lights first became noticeable at 7:30 o’clock and at frequent intervals throughout the night the heavens to the north, and even at times directly overhead, glowed with the lights. The predominating colors were light green and light purple, some times tinged with yellow, with occasional tint of pink and red. At 11 o’clock the red became more marked. People watched from porches and streets.
\nReports from Redlands, Colton, Highland, Rialto, Upland, Ontario and other points indicated the people there were enjoying equally as good a view as those in San Bernardino.
\nOn the desert, however, was the most gorgeous display, according to reports from points for hundreds of miles. The heavens were half-ablaze.
\nTelegraphic Communication With East Is Paralyzed The borealis paralyzed telegraphic communication. Even before the lights suddenly startled San Bernardino it was apparent that there was some serious atmospheric disturbance. The east wire of the Associated Press went down, and the efforts of telegraphic companies to find a route eastward failed. Not a wire ticked between the Pacific Coast and the east last night.
\nSan Bernardino was the first point to report the appearance of the northern lights. At San Francisco the report was at first doubted, but within an hour the lights were visible at practically every point on the coast, and as far south as the Mexican border. Only Previous Visit On Record Was In 1870 The only previous visit of the Aurora Borealis to this section occurred In 1870, according the best Information available last night. Mrs. B. M. Wall definitely fixed the previous display at 1870. She and others agreed that the display of years ago contained far more red than was visible in the early part of the night. The display was first identified as the northern lights about 7:30 o’clock, although earlier in the evening people had noticed and commented on the manner in which the mountains stood out in clear-cut form.
\nMany Alarming Reports, One Thought It Was Comet
\nVarious alarming reports were spread by people who had never seen the Aurora Borealis. One rumor was that a meteor was approaching the earth with a terrific rush. Those who believed this story pointed to the long streamers of light which on occasions reached the zenith of the heavens. Many inquiries were telephoned to THE SUN office. First view of the lights that have seldom visited California was startling. A glow of light green was noticed to the northeast. It was as though a strange colored moon was shining on the fog at the rim of the mountains. The glow spread and then raced along the mountains to the west until the whole sky was lighted. Straight into the heavens shot a single beam of light, as though from a powerful searchlight. Then came the glow of light purple, and one beam of light reached to the zenith of the heavens. At 11:20 last night a glow of deep red appeared in the northwest. It crept toward the east, growing in strength of color until it vanished close to Mt. San Bernardino. Its dying color was that of a flare of red light at a distant parade. Probably persons, noticing the glow for the first time thought there was some great fire behind the mountains.<\/p>\n

WHALE STATE GIVEN VIEW OF SPECTACLE
\nSAN FRANCISCO, May 14.
\nThe vagrant aurora borealis paid a startling visit to the Pacific Coast tonight, being visible as far south as the Mexican border for the first time in the memory of old residents, completely isolated the region from the eastern portion of the United States by disrupting all telegraph communication and sent residents of the Southern Pacific Coast section flocking to the roofs of sky scraping buildings for their first view of the sky splendor.
\nThe borealis or northern lights, supposedly due, according to scientists, to electromagnetic influences in the rare upper atmosphere was seen plainly, according to reports at San Diego and several points surrounding that city, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Stockton and other points.
\nAt Boulevard, a small meuntain town between San Diego and the Imperial valley, near the Mexican torder, reports were that it was an exceptionally brilliant spectacle.
\nAll telegraph companies reported their facilities prostrated from the coast eastward. Communication was maintained up and down the coast but all efforts to turn the lines of communication toward the east were unavailing. The radio particularly susceptible to atmospheric disturbances remained singularly untouched by the magnetic influences responsible for the lights. The navy and other wireless operators reported the atmosphere comparatively free of static troubles. The appearance of the phenomenon in California resulted in several rumors of earth destruction.
\nAt Kingsbury, Calif., reports were circulated that the air was filled “with smoke and ashes.” At San Francisco the display was particularly brilliant and the roofs, of downtown office buildings and hotels were dotted with persons engrossed in watching the lights.<\/p>\n

VISIBLE AS FAR SOUTH
\nAS MEXICAN BORDER
\nSAN DIEGO, May 14.
\nThe aurora borealis was visible from several points in the county surrounding San Diego tonight. At Boulevard, a small town in the mountains between San Diego and Imperial valley, near the Mexican line, it was reported as a brilliant spectacle. Another point at which it was visible is Escondido, about 35 miles north of this city.
\nOld residents declared that they had never seen a similar spectacle. Although telegraphers using wires had serious trouble tonight in sending and receiving messages, the big navy wireless station at Chollas Heights in this city reported that it has been “talking” without any appreciable difficulty with many points all evening. The operators there said that they had experienced no trouble at all.<\/p>\n

VISABLE AT SACRAMENTO AFTER NINE O’CLOCK
\nSACRAMENTO, May 14.
\nThe aurora borealis was visible here tonight shortly after 9 d’clock.<\/p>\n

FOREST FIRE THEORY ADVANCED IN NORTH
\nKINGSBURG, Calif., May 14.
\nReports that the air “was filled with smoke and ashes” were circulated here tonight as the result of the display of the aurora borealis. Many theories were advanced to account for the brightness in the sky. Residents turned out by the hundreds to watch the manifestation.<\/p>\n

BECOMES VISIBLE AT STOCKTON AT 9:30
\nSTOCKTON, May 14.
\nThe aurora borealis became visible here at 9:30 o’clock tonight.<\/p>\n

FLOCK TO ROOF TO SEE LIGHTS IN L. A.
\nLOS ANGELES, May 14.
\nA faint view of the aurora borealis, or northern nights, drew hundreds of people to the roofs of buildings in the downtown section of Los Angeles tonight. It also was observed by residents of communities as far south as the Imperial valley, 200 miles south of here.<\/p>\n

Madera Mercury, 15 May 1921<\/p>\n

A. BOREALIS PAYS VISIT TO DESERT<\/p>\n

A report from The Associated Press to its member papers tonight stated that the Aurora Borealis has virtually prostrated all wire service between San Francisco and eastern points.
\n(By The Associated Press)
\nSAN BERNARDINO, May 14. \u2014 The Aurora Borealis was plainly visible here this evening. Old residents declared that it was the first time in their knowledge that the lights were ever seen here. The Santa Fe train dispatcher reports that the lights were especially visible on the Mojave desert, practically all points reporting their appearance. It is declared that this is the first time on record that the lights have been seen on the desert. It is believed here that they are also visible in Arizona.<\/p>\n

Morning Press, 15 May 1921<\/p>\n

FIRST TIME Southland Citizens Flock to Roofs For First View Here of Lights<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, May 14. \u2014 The vagrant aurora borealis paid a startling visit to the Pacific coast tonight, being visible as far south as the Mexican border for the first time in the memory of the oldest residents, completely isolated the region from the eastern portion of the United States by disrupting all telegraph communication and sent residents of the southern Pacific coast section flocking to the roofs of skyscraping buildings for their first view of the sky splendor.
\nSeen on Entire Coast
\nThe aurora borealis \u2014or northern lights, supposedly due, according to scientists, to electro magnetic influences in the rare upper atmosphere \u2014 was seen plainly, according to reports at San Diego and several points surrounding that city, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Stockton and other points. At Boulevard, a small mountain town between San Diego and the Imperial Valley, near the Mexican border, reports were that it was an exceptionally brilliant spectacle. All telegraph companies reported their facilities prostrated from the coast eastward. Communication was maintained up and down the coast, but all efforts to try the line of communication towards the east were unavailing.
\nThe radio\u2014-particularly susceptible to atmospheric disturbances \u2014 remained singularly untouched by the magnetic influences responsible for the lights. The navy and other wireless operators reported the atmosphere comparatively free of static troubles. Lurid Reports The appearance of the phenomenon in California resulted in several rumors of earth destruction.
\nAt Kingsburg, Cal., reports were circulated that the air was filled \u201cwith smoke and ashes.\u2019\u2019 At San Francisco the display was particularly brilliant and the roofs of downtown office buildings and hotels were dotted with persons engrossed in watching the lights.
\nPORTLAND, Ore., May 14.\u2014 Effects from the aurora borealis were pronounced on electric wires of all kinds here tonight. Telegraph and telephone service was badly interrupted at times. Wires leading to the north and east were mainly affected. service southward seeming to suffer but little.<\/p>\n

Press Democrat, Volume XLVIII, Number 271, 15 May 1921
\nNorth Lights Create Sensation In First State Appearance<\/p>\n

SANTA ROSANS WERE \t<\/p>\n

amazed, and all over the county people telephoned all night long to The Press Democrat, when the northern lights, the famous Aurora Borealis, made its first great visit to this section.
\nFlaming pennants of light; green, blue, pink, crimson and purple; flared across the heavens irregularly from the north, extending to the zenith. The display at times reached great magnificance, and again sank into nothingness.
\nIrregular spots of light appeared in the sky at points across the northern horizon, extending from west to east, and also directly overhead.. At all times the low horizon seemed obscured by darkness, which many at first thought was fog until it was noted that stars shone through the murkiness, and above this streak of blackness there glowed a greenish light, almost like the flare from the X-ray.
\nThe disturbance was electrical, and its causes are little understood.. The declination at Santa Rosa of magnetic north 26 degrees east from the polar north, was plainly observable, as the shafts of light which whipped across the sky all centered east of the northern point as indicated by the position of the North star, radiating from this magnetic north as do the spokes from the hub of a wheel. Many persons in ignorance of the true nature of the great demonstration were alarmed, fearing fires at distant points, or some immediate storm or weather disturbance because of the omens in the sky.<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO. May 14.\u2014 A vagrant Aurora Borealis paid a startling visit to the Pacific coast tonight and was visible as far south as the Mexican border for the first time in the memory of old residents. It completely Isolated the region from the eastern portion of the United States by disrupting ail telegraph communications and sent residents of the Pacific coast section flocking to the roofs of sky scrapers for their first view of its splendor.
\nThe Borealis or northern lights supposedly due according to scientists to electrical magnetic influences in the rare upper atmosphere was seen plainly according to reports at San Diego, Los Angeles. San Bernardino, Stockton. Chico, Santa Rosa and other points. All telegraph companies reported their facilities prostrated from the coast eastward. Communications were maintained up and down the coast.
\nThe radio which is particularly susceptible to atmospheric disturbances remained singularly untouched by the magnetic influences. Tile navy and other wireless operators reported the atmosphere comparatively free of static troubles. The appearance of the phenomenon In California resulted in several rumors of earth destruction.
\nAt Kingsburg, Calif., reports were circulated that the air was filled “with smoke and ashes.\u201d At San Francisco the display was particularly brilliant and the roofs of down town orfflcea and hotels were dotted with persons engrossed in watching Che lights.<\/p>\n

Hanford Journal (Daily), 15 May 1921<\/p>\n

AURORA BOREALIS MAKES ITS APPEARANCE
\nTelegraphic Communication to the East Is Disrupted<\/p>\n

Phenomenon Visible In All Parts of State
\nAs Far South As Mexican Border,
\nFor Hours Telegraphic Communication
\nWith Eastern Cities Is Prostrated
\nBy Electro Magnetic Influence,
\nBut Radio Is Unaffected;
\n\u201cEnd of World\u201d Rumors Are
\nCirculated At Kingsburg<\/p>\n

(By Associated Press.)<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, May 14.\u2014The vagrant Aurora Borealis, paid a startling visit to the Pacific coast tonight, being visible as far south as the Mexican border, for the first time in history, completely isolating the region from the eastern part of the United States by disrupting all telegraphic communication, and sent residents of Pacific coast cities flocking to roofs of sky scrapers for their first view of its splendors. The Borealis, or northern lights, supposedly due according to scientists to electro-magnetic influence in the rare upper atmosphere was seen plainly according to reports, at San Diego, and several points near that city, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Chico, Santa Rosa and other points. All telegraph companies reported their facilities prostrated from the coast eastward. Communication was maintained up and down the coast. The radio particularly susceptible to atmospheric disturbances remained untouched by the magnetic influence.<\/p>\n

The navy and other wireless operators reported the atmosphere comparatively free of static troubles. The appearance of phenomenon in California resulted in several rumors of earth destruction. At Kingsburg reports were circulated that the earth was filled “with smoke and ashes.\u201d At San Francisco the display was especially brilliant. Visible Over Mojave Desert, Says Report <\/p>\n

SAN BERNARDINO. May 14. The Aurora Borealis was plainly visible here this evening. Old timers declare it is the first time to their knowledge the lights have ever been seen here. The Santa Fe train dispatcher’s office here reported the lights were especially visible on the Mojave Desert, practically all points reporting to that effect. It is declared the first time on record that the lights have been seen on tho desert. It is believed here they were visible In Arizona. Local People Watch Skies For Hours A particularly beautiful appearance of the Aurora Borealis was seen in the northern sky last night between the hours of eight and eleven o’clock, and residents of this city witnessed it, were treated to a phenomenon rarely seen in this latitude at any season of the year, and according to the older settlers it is one of the few times it has been seen in this valley. Attention was first called to the phenomenon early in the evening by an unusual sky effect resembling a light cloud, apparently lighted from behind with long green scintillator rays. The glow faded and then increased and finally the long rays shot across the sky from the north, lengthening and shortening for several lours. The display was of such brilliance that numerous telephone inquiries as to a bad fire in the north were made and it was not until after midnight that the brilliant glow, with the waving streamers, showed signs of subsidence.<\/p>\n

San Bernardino Sun, 16 May 1921 \u2014 Page 1
\nARCTIC LIGHTS ARE BRILLIANT
\nOUT IN DESERT
\nMojave Indians Terrorized by Aurora Borealis;
\nBig Bear People Alarmed MANY COLORS SHOWN
\nAstronomers Mystified by Phenomenon ;
\nTelegraph Service Crippled
\nNearly 1000 people in Bear Valley Saturday night watched what was probably the most wonderful view of the Aurora Borealis witnessed at any point in California. They were awe struck by the phenomenon and hundreds were frightened by the many conjectures is to what the lights really were. The lights, in varied colors, were reflected in the waters of the lake, adding to the gorgeousness of the scene. So powerful was the display that a newspaper could have been read on occasions. The rays spread out like a fan across the heavens, shooting beams of light that seemed to. strike on the mountain peaks and into the forests.
\n“Frankly I was frightened,”, said John Anderson, Jr., who with his family was at the lake. “If had been alone alone I believe I would have started for San Bernardino’ Many Explanations Of Mystery Offered “There were many explanations and a story that was insisted upon by one individual was that Mars was attempting to communicate with the earth. I had never seen the northern lights before.”
\nThe display reached its climax shortly after 11 o’clock, when the glow turned to a deep red and great rays of light of that color spread across the heavens.
\nMojave Indian Panic Stricken Mojave Indians became panic stricken, according to a report yesterday from the desert. Indians in Arizona started a weird dance ceremonial. They are said to have a tradition of the strange lights. According to telegraphic reports, scientists are blaming unusually large spots on the sun for the weird display of northern lights.
\nThe comet Pons-Winnecke is due to pass the earth some time this month and display a portion of its tail of light that is 2,000,000 miles long. This comet, however, had no connection with the display, according to astronomers. <\/p>\n

WILL PASS AWAY IN 48 HOURS,
\nIS CLAIM
\nWASHINGTON, May 15. Interruption of telegraphic communication by of telegraphic communication by electric influences, if due to the presence of spots on the sun, will pass away within 48 hours, in the belief of Naval Observatory officials. The present spot, or group of spots, estimated by Naval Observatory officials as 94,000 miles in length and 21,000 in latitude, was nearest the earth last night and today through rotation of the sun was moving away.
\nThese officials said that leaving out of consideration the decreasing effect of the spots on electrical currents on the earth through the usual breaking up of the spots, the regular rotation of the sun would soon carry the spots so far from the earth as to make their influence negligible.
\nPress and commercial wires over the country were prostrated last night by the strange and mysterious effects of the aurora borealis. At various intervals powerful earth currents short circuited the wires and made it impossible to transmit either news or messages.
\nReported At Vicksburg, Miss Reports said the phenomenon was visible at Little Rock, Ark., and Vicksburg. Miss., for the first time in many years.
\nThe theory that the aurora borealis results from sun spots, was advanced by Dr. J. A. Brashear, late Pittsburgh astronomer. The theory has never been definitely accepted, Naval Observatory officials asserted, but the fact that spots on the sun usually are accompanied by electrical disturbances has resulted in almost general acceptance of the theory. The spots then, according to Dr. G. H. Peters, were about one and a half to two days old. The following day the photographs showed the spots to be much agitated, the gaseous vapors of which they are composed resembling a cyclonic storm, Dr. Peters said. Naval Observatory officials said<\/p>\n

Calexico Chronicle, 16 May 1921 <\/p>\n

NORTHERN LIGHTS SEEN LOCALLY ON SATURDAY NIGHT<\/p>\n

For the first time in a long period there was visible here, as well as all over the coast country, according to report, a wonderful display of the \u201cAurora Borealis\u201d or northern lights Saturday night, which was viewed by hundreds here who stayed up for several hours. The aurora is in effect, the same as an electrical display, although thus far science has not been able to answer the question as to what it is or what causes it.
\nThe story of the student and college professor illustrates. The professor asked the class what caused it and the smart member scratched his head and said: \u201cProfessor, I did know, but I\u2019ve forgotten it.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s a great pity,\u201d replied the professor, \u201cas you are the only one who ever did know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Herald, 16 May 1921
\nELECTRICAL DISTURBANCE<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, May 16.\u2014 Electrical disturbances caused by the aurora borealis which appeared during the early morning hours caused a temporary tie-up of telegraph and telephone lines here.<\/p>\n

Colusa Daily Sun, Number 114, 16 May 1921<\/p>\n

SATURDAY NIGHT SKY PAINTED BY NORTHERN LIGHT<\/p>\n

The aurora borealis, or northern lights, filled the entire northern sky Saturday night, and Colusans were treated to a sight that does not appear every day or two. About 10 o’clock the entire horizon was aflame with the great arc of colored and white light and retained its brilliancy for several bouts. Following is a report made on the phenomenon by navy observatory officials:
\n\u201cThe present spot, or group of spots, estimated by naval observatory officials as 94,000 miles in length and 21,000 in latitude, was nearest the earth Saturday night and Sunday, through rotation of the sun. Leaving out of consideration the decreasing effect of the spots on electrical currents on the earth through the usual breaking up of the spots, the regular rotation of the sun would soon carry the spots so far from the earth as to make their influence negligible. <\/p>\n

\u201cBeginning Friday night wire | chiefs throughout the United States reported this natural phenomenon had injected extra voltage into their wires, causing earth currents and interrupting traffic. The same conditions continued throughout Saturday and became increasingly intense Saturday night, causing one of the severest disturbances known in 30 years. For more than an hour before midnight Saturday nearly every telegraph wire leading from New York and Chicago was out of condition. Ocean cables also were slightly affected. Curiously, however, the disturbance seemed to strengthen wireless signals.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At SPACEWEATHER.COM an essay about the geomagnetic storm of May 1921 sparked my interest (pun intended.) I went to the California Digital Newspaper Collection a did a search. Below are some of the results: Sacramento Union, 15 May 1921 \u2014 ARCTIC LIGHTS VISIBLE IN VALLEY Vagabond of Northern Skies Flashes Brilliantly Over Sacramento. CAUSES WEIRD … [Read more…]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2109,2,3,15,16,17],"tags":[2598,2600,2601,2599],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-sergneri","4":"post-4050","6":"format-standard","7":"category-antique-radio","8":"category-california-history","9":"category-california-newspaper-archive","10":"category-science","11":"category-sea-stories","12":"category-thinking-about","13":"post_tag-aurora-borealis","14":"post_tag-northern-lights","15":"post_tag-spaceweather","16":"post_tag-telegraph"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4050"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4058,"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4050\/revisions\/4058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sergneri.net\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}