Revised and enlarged edition of a classic work on the atmospherical phenomena Aurora Borealis, the first comprehensive treatise devoted entirely to the subject. The work is divided into five sections which discuss the solar atmosphere, the terrestrial atmosphere, explanations of the phenomena that accompany the Northern Lights, the appearances of the Northern Lights, and questions and doubts concerning the topics discussed in the work. The present second edition has been enlarged with 2 engraved plates and a second part, consisting of 21 "Éclaircissemens".
Jean Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan (1678-1771) was a mathematician, and secretary of the Académie Royale des Sciences at Paris. He was interested in a wide variety of subjects, and made key discoveries in various fields. For example, he demonstrated the existence of a circadian rhythm in plants, and concluded that the earth had a "central fire" as an important source of its heat. In the present work, he discusses his hypothesis that the Northern Lights were caused by the sun's atmosphere, which was a novel idea at the time. The work was first published in Paris in 1733. A 12mo edition appeared in Amsterdam in 1735 at the publishing house of Pierre Mortier.
The edges and corners of the boards are slightly scuffed, the spine has somewhat faded from past sunlight, the boards are slightly rubbed. The work has wide margins, it is somewhat browned and foxed throughout, with some leaves affected more than others. Otherwise in good condition. De la Lande, pp. 454-455; DSB 9, pp. 33-34; Wheeler Gift cat. 382; Poggendorff II, col. 17; cf. Honeyman 2112 (other ed.).