Page - 229 - in Maximilian Hell (1720–92) - And the Ends of Jesuit Science in Enlightenment Europe

229The Expeditio litteraria ad Polum Arcticum gear was packed down on June 23, 1769. Observations of aurorae are noted in a seemingly consistent manner in this column. As already described, according to Hell’s theory, observation of northern lights during the Arctic night in May or June was perfectly logical. His theory comprised not only the aurora borealis as it is defined today but also other phenomena resembling it. Thus, on June 17 Hell noted: “Silent weather, but dark clouds, the sky growing more and more clear. Mediocre eastern wind, very clear sky with southern and southeastern wind continually alternating, until around 3 a.m., when northern lights dis­ turbed the observations [emphasis added].”63 After the day-by-day, tabular overview with brief descriptions such as the one quoted here, there follows a seven-page commentary, Animadversiones, with descriptions of the instru- ments and methodology used, and—importantly—Hell’s own deliberations on the weather conditions of Vardø. The very coldest recording, −18 Réaumur (corresponding to −22.5 Celsius), lasted for a very short time during the night between January 28 and 29. However, the everyday winter temperatures fluctu- ated between 0 and −10 Réaumur (0 to −13 Celsius) (i.e., perfectly comparable with the winter in Vienna). The existence of the Gulf Stream, constantly steer- ing temperate sea water from the Bay of Mexico toward far-northern Scandina- via, was beyond the grasp of the Viennese visitor. Instead, he argued that the iceless waters around Vardø had resulted from a combination of three different factors, namely the nearly incessant waves of the sea, the general direction of the winds, and the currents pouring sweet water from the huge rivers of Russia. In Hell’s view, the same three reasons contributed to the congelation of the vast expanse of sea from Novaya Zemlya to Spitsbergen and extending farther in an arch north of Iceland toward the shores of Greenland. All the while, the sea around Vardø remained open and free of ice: Ice is never encountered by sailors on this Mare Glaciale [i.e., the Eis- meer, nowadays officially the Barents Sea] when they are out in the open sea, several miles from the shore. However, as soon as they encounter great ice floes floating in the sea, the sailors know for sure that they are not far removed from the mainland.64 In sum, Hell’s meteorological deliberations cast him in a typical Enlightenment role. On the one hand, we find Hell meticulously recording his endeavors, in- cluding inventing several creative solutions to gather data despite harsh winds threatening to tear their thermometers and other apparel to pieces. On the 63 Hell, “Observationes meteorologicae,” 384. 64 Hell, “Observationes meteorologicae,” 389.