Mystery or the unexplained · 30.11.1903
Tartu watches the northern lights from its bridges
Tartu vaatab sildadelt virmalisi
Northern lights were rare enough in Tartu that years could pass without a sighting. On the evening of 30 November 1903, from seven o'clock, a bluish glow spread over the northern sky, and the streets filled with people; the best view was from the river bridges, where crowds stood watching. At times the light grew so strong that the town turned pale and the gas lamps looked dim. Postimees described a flat arch with bright tufts above it and pillars of rays rising and fading below, the arch later twisting but never breaking.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
Virmalised olid Tartus nii harv nähtus, et vahel möödus aastaid ilma neid nägemata. 30. novembri õhtul 1903 alates kella seitsmest levis põhjataevasse sinakas kuma ja tänavad täitusid inimestega; parim vaade oli jõesildadelt, kus rahvas seisis ja vaatas. Kohati läks valgus nii tugevaks, et linn muutus heledaks ja gaasilaternad paistsid kahvatud. Postimees kirjeldas lamedat kaart, mille kohal olid heledad tutid ja mille all tõusid ning kadusid kiirtesambad; hiljem kaar väänles, kuid ei katkenud.