Light Science for Leisure Hours A series of familiar essays on scientific subjects, natural phenomena, &c.

"Light Science for Leisure Hours" by Richard A. Proctor is a collection of familiar essays on scientific subjects and natural phenomena written in the late 19th century. This work aims to make complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging to a general readership, reflecting Proctor's commitment to conveying scientific truths in a clear and enjoyable manner. The opening of the book introduces the captivating phenomenon of the aurora, describing its vivid and dynamic beauty as well as its mysterious connection to terrestrial magnetism. The author details how early observations of the magnetic needle's variations led to the discovery that these disturbances are often synchronized with auroras occurring far away. Proctor then elaborates on the implications of this connection, suggesting a deeper relationship between auroras, magnetic activity, and solar phenomena, inviting readers to explore the broader scientific implications of such natural displays. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Anthony Proctor FRAS was an English astronomer. He is best remembered for having produced one of the earliest maps of Mars in 1867 from 27 drawings by the English observer William Rutter Dawes. His map was later superseded by those of Giovanni Schiaparelli and Eugène Antoniadi and his nomenclature was dropped.