It Wasn’t the End of the World

By JIM BRADSHAW

The aurora borealis is named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas. Scientists tell us that the phenomenon is caused by solar winds or by electrical particles banging into each other or for some other reason that laymen can’t understand. Tourists tell us the phenomenon can bring about a fantastic light show in the northern sky.

Ancient people believed these lights to be a “dance of the spirits.” In medieval Europe, the auroras were believed to be a sign from God.

By whatever name, they can put on a spectacular show, but one that is practically never seen this far south. That’s what makes a report in the Sept. 3, 1859, edition of the Opelousas Patriot so remarkable. The lights were apparently visible in south Louisiana twice during the same week. Some superstitious folk thought it not only a sign from God, but a sign of the end of the world. It was also at least partially blamed for bringing on a rash of what might have been cases of the flu.

“Last Sunday,” according to the newspaper account, “was one of the most oppressive days of the summer. …. At about half past eight o’clock at night a most singular phenomenon presented itself in the horizon between North-west and North-east. A most brilliant crimson light seemed to radiate from behind a large bank of cloud … and extended towards the zenith as high as 45 degrees from the horizon. These radiations were divided by alternate opaque tints and lasted for about 15 minutes.

“During its appearance a great many of our citizens gazed in wonder and astonishment, some regarding it as an Aurora Borealis, others as an omen of direful import, and we heard of a nervous lady in town, who being under the impression that the end of all things terrestrial was at hand, resigned herself to meet the impending dissolution and advised others to do likewise.”

There may have been some particular weather condition that allowed the sightings in Acadiana.

According to the newspaper, the oppressive heat dissipated after the lights were seen.

“Shortly after the disappearance of this remarkable phenomenon, a light breeze sprang up,” the account continued, “rendering the balance of the night agreeable and pleasant. Early next morning and during the day we had several fine showers, which were much needed for the maturing crops. On Tuesday morning a brisk and cool norther broke out and for several succeeding days the weather was decidedly cool for the season. … The sudden transitions for the past two weeks have been the source of considerable sickness in our parish.”

When the lights appeared again that week, some people thought they were the glow from a big fire.

“The phenomenon above alluded to was again visible on Thursday night,” according to the Patriot report, “making its appearance about 11 o’clock in a most brilliant red belt, directly in the zenith, about 90 degrees wide, extending from East to West. During its appearance from 11 o’clock P .M. to 5 o’clock A.M., many of our citizens were aroused from their slumber under the impression that an awful conflagration was raging in some part of town. Such was the brilliancy afforded by this phenomenon, that a pin could have been distinctly seen on the floor of many rooms.

“Outside the light was as brilliant as that afforded by a full moon in a clear sky. The vast belt seemed to have a vibratory motion from South West to North East. We cannot offer any theory for this remarkable spectacle in the Heavens.”

You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jhbradshaw@bellsouth.net or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.