Plate 2. 'The Aurora Borealis' / in the Book, "Phenomena of Nature" [cover title]: 'Thirty plates illustrative of natural phenomena etc. with a short description annexed to each plate' [title page]. - / [illustrations] by Whimper [Josiah Wood Whymper, 1813-1903]; printed by R [Richard] Clay, Bread Street Hill. - London: SPCK etc, 1849. - Engravings, wood, coloured, in bound volume, 35x29x1cm. -

Many cultures have placed spiritual meanings on auroras. The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge published this aurora engraving in 1849. The accompanying text considers the mysterious creation of an aurora by a divine hand alongside its possible scientific cause. Do we still think of auroras as divine?