A little ramble through 19th century astronomy - Aurora seen in India in 1872

There was a massive aurora display on February 4^th 1872 seen all cross Europe, North Africa the Middle East, India and the Far East. It is seen as far south as the equator. The aurora storm was probably more powerful than the Carrington event of September 1^st, 1859

It was reported by astronomers on Britain including C Piazzi Smyth in Edinburgh, G M Seabrooke in Rugby, J Rand Capron and T Rand Capron in Guildford, S J Perry at Stonehurst Observatory and T W Webb at Hardwicke Vicarage.

 

Nature April 4^th 1872

Indian papers give the following additional accounts of the aurora of Feb 4^th: - Such a phenomenon has not been observed in the Punjab, or perhaps on India within living memory of man, and in consequence the remarks made by the natives and others born I the country were rather curious.

A curious circumstance took place at Raikote. About 100 Kooka families turned out in the most excited state and commenced those wild demonstrations from which the name Kooka is derived the men tore off their turbans, unloosed their hair, and began dancing and waving their arms about, and shouting that this was a token the Ram Singh had returned to his home. They were much mistaken to learn that they were mistaken.

At Sealkote many thought that the red in the sky was the reflection of the blaze of some hill forest on fire, and one individual at Jhelum suggested that it must be caused be some volcanic eruption in the Himalayas.

In another place a commissariat officer was thrown into an agony of terror, thinking it was his haystacks on fire.

A correspondent, writing from Madhopore, says: - “On the night of the 4^th February between 11 and 12 o’clock, there appeared in the sky a clear bright light, like fire which lasted about 14 minutes. It was so bright that we were able to see even the minutest objects; owing to its red colour the river appeared as though it were blood. The atmosphere for days has never been clear of clouds, and it seems as if a storm were portending. The lightning injured some natives on the 5^th February

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