# An Observation of an Uncommon Gleam of Light Proceeding from the Sun, by Mr. Peter Collinson F. R. S. **Author(s):** Peter Collinson **Year:** 1746 **Journal:** Philosophical Transactions (1683-1775) **Volume:** 44 **Pages:** 5 pages **Identifier:** jstor-104851 **JSTOR URL:** --- We reckon Surrey-Street 27 Seconds in Time West of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. Mr. John Catlin had a few Days before deliver'd me a Computation of this Eclipse, corrected from two Places of the Moon, observ'd the 28th of February and the 2d of March 1729, corresponding pretty nearly with her present Situation; as likewise from the Star's Position, as I had rectify'd it from several late Observations; and this gave the \[ \begin{align*} \text{Immersion} & \quad 8 \quad 26\frac{1}{2} \\ \text{Emersion} & \quad 9 \quad 30 \end{align*} \] J. Bevis. VI. An Observation of an uncommon Gleam of Light proceeding from the Sun, by Mr. Peter Collinson F. R. S. Read March 19. On the 8th of March 1746-7, near 1746-7. 8 o'Clock in the Morning, as I was riding within three Miles of Brentwood in Essex, there appeared a singular Phænomenon in the Heavens; the Sketch (Tab. . Fig. .) may give some Idea of it. The Morning was fine and clear, the Sun shone bright, no Cloud to be seen, but the Air a little hazy: Where the Phænomenon appeared, which was a bright cloudy Spot, seem'd a very small Portion of a Rainbow, a Rainbow, only the Colours very faint. It was in a horizontal Direction North of the Sun, and from it projected a long luminous Ray, which terminated in a Point.—It continu'd very strong for more than half an Hour after I saw it, and then vanish'd away by degrees. P. Collinson. VII. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Benjamin Cooke F.R.S. to Mr. Peter Collinson F.R.S. concerning the Property of new Flanel sparkling in the dark. Newport, Isle of Wight, Jan. 13. 1746-7. Read March 19. Since I have read the Transaction 1746-7. N°. 476. with respect to the sparkling Lady, who could communicate a kind of electrical Fire to her Garments, I can give you an Instance nearly like it, of a Lady who was surprised at such an Appearance from a Flanel Petticoat, which she happen'd to shake in the dark. But at last we found, that new Flanel, after some time wearing, would acquire this Property; but that it lost it by being washed.