Abstract
A CONSIDERABLE magnetic disturbance in the earth's magnetic field was recorded at the Royal Observatory's Magnetic Station at Abinger on February 7-8. This 'magnetic storm' began abruptly at lOh. 20m. G.M.T. on February 7 and lasted for about 36 hours. It was accompanied by a display of the aurora borealis, obscured in the southern part of Britain by cloud. The ranges of the magnetic elements were: 1*3° in declination; more than 500y in horizontal force and nearly 400y in vertical force. The storm was remarkable more for the agitation of the traces rather than for the ranges, which have been exceeded on seven or eight other occasions during the last 11-year solar cycle, 1934-44. This magnetic storm is, with little doubt, related to localized solar phenomena of which the great spot was a notable representative (see Nature of Feb. 9, p. 155). At the onset of the storm, the spot group was about 1 -9 days (= 25° of solar longitude) past the central meridian. This position of a big spot when a great magnetic storm begins is in general accord with previous statistical results such as those given by Maunder forty years ago.
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