Abstract
Geomagnetic virtual pole positions (VGP's) calculated from archaeomagnetic directional data are compared with three ancient accounts of low latitude observations of the Aurorae boreales, viz. by Aristotle (384–322 BC), Seneca (55 BC-40 AD) and simultaneously by Chinese astronomers in Hangzhou, China and by European observers in Prague in 1138 AD, October 13th.
The geomagnetic latitudes of these VGP's ranged from 65 ‡ to 70 ‡. Inclination and declination values have also been calculated for the regions of interest, assuming dipole field symmetry.
The reduced archaeomagnetic results used, comply with those early observations of aurorae, confirming the inclination of the geomagnetic pole towards the observing sites.
A critical evaluation of the auroral types is given, associated to the low latitude aurora. The latter, is furthermore, discussed in relation to the ancient descriptions of the aurora phenomenon.
A critical discussion is also made on severe magnetic storms-related aurora. It has been shown that the appropriate use of relevant VGP's, in our study, is not influenced by discernible non-dipole disturbances.
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Liritzis, Y. Aurorae boreales and geomagnetic inclinations as aids to archaeomagnetic dating. Earth Moon Planet 42, 151–162 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00054543
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00054543