Introduction and Summary of Contents

Kira Moss

doi:10.7557/16.5661

Abstract

The tenth volume in the series presents a hitherto overlooked item in the oeuvre of the famous discoverer of electromagnetism, Hans Christian Ørsted (1777–1851). A highly influential figure in cutting-edge science internationally, Ørsted was also active as a populariser of various kinds of academic discoveries and theories within nineteenth-century Denmark. However, no separate publication on the aurora borealis by Ørsted has been known until now. It is in one of the many contemporary collections of miscellanies for the general public – namely, in Dansk Folkekalender for the year 1841 (printed 1840) – that Kira Moss has discovered his unsigned article on “Nordlyset” [The Northern Light]. In her introduction, Moss presents evidence of Ørsted’s authorship, contextualises the place of the northern lights in Denmark in the period known as Romanticism, and presents a detailed summary of his own theory. As a supplement, she provides a complete English translation of Ørsted’s article.

Highlights

Introduction and Summary ofContents of “Nordlyset” (1840) by Kira MossThe Danish natural scientist Hans Christian Ørsted (1777–1851) is world famous for giving the first display of electromagnetism in 1820
In Denmark, he was the central figure in the natural sciences in the first half of the nineteenth century, heavily influencing other researchers in his own period and onwards
Like virtually all other natural scientists of his time, Ørsted is known to have shown an interest in the aurora borealis, or northern lights

Summary

Vol X

By Hans Christian Ørsted digitized, with an English translation and introduction by Kira Moss. No separate publication on the aurora borealis by Ørsted has been known until now It is in one of the many contemporary collections of miscellanies for the general public – namely, in Dansk Folkekalender for the year 1841 (printed 1840) – that Kira Moss has discovered his unsigned article on “Nordlyset” [The Northern Light]. In her introduction, Moss presents evidence of Ørsted’s authorship, contextualises the place of the northern lights in Denmark in the period known as Romanticism, and presents a detailed summary of his own theory.

HANS CHRISTIAN ØRSTED AND THE AURORA BOREALIS

Conclusion