Auroral display of July 3, 1939

Abstract

On July 3, 1939, at 21h 30m (75° west meridian time), a splendid display of Northern Lights was visible at Bridgeport, Connecticut. Long streamers of light stretched from the eastern to the western horizon almost 180° in length, from 40° above the northern horizon to 30° beyond the zenith into the south. The ten bands of light were unusually straight through their entire length, quite regular in width, and nearly uniformly spaced. There was a bright Moon and the sky was cloudless. The stars shining through the uniform bands of light gave the aurora the appearance of the American flag.