Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 12, 1939

I forgot to mention the Aurora Borealis which were brilliantly visible on Friday night. B & I first noticed them coming down Orchard Ave in our return from a walk. At that time, they appeared as a long, flattened arch of phosphorescent luminance low in the northern sky.

On our return home, we routed the three youngest out of bed to see the sight. I took them (clad in slippers and bathrobes) in the car, up to East & North Aves.

Later, when we got home, the lights changed in character; — the arches, or bows of light gradually swelled upward and parted into several separate bows, and were interspersed with irregular streaks, spreading fanwise, constantly changing in intensity; sometimes shafts burning forth a brilliantly green. The arches spread to far south of the zenith. The light was so strong that the northern sides of house were luridly lit up, and even shadows were cast on the ground.

At times meteors, turned red in character by the “lights,” streaked across the sky.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 12, 1939