Cannot attend meeting [concerning the Nautical Almanac]. Makes numerous specific recommendations concerning its format and contents. Raises the theoretical question 'Does sidereal time flow uniformly?'
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The Sir John Herschel Collection
The preparation of the print Calendar of the Correspondence of Sir John Herschel (Michael J. Crowe ed., David R. Dyck and James J. Kevin assoc. eds, Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1998, viii + 828 pp) which was funded by the National Science Foundation, took ten years. It was accomplished by a team of seventeen professors, visiting scholars, graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and staff working at the University of Notre Dame.
The first online version of Calendar was created in 2009 by Dr Marvin Bolt and Steven Lucy, working at the Webster Institute of the Adler Planetarium, and it is that data that has now been reformatted for incorporation into Ɛpsilon.
Further information about Herschel, his correspondence, and the editorial method is available online here: http://historydb.adlerplanetarium.org/herschel/?p=intro
No texts of Herschel’s letters are currently available through Ɛpsilon.
Cannot attend meeting [concerning the Nautical Almanac]. Makes numerous specific recommendations concerning its format and contents. Raises the theoretical question 'Does sidereal time flow uniformly?'
Provides list of desiderata for activities for observatories of the '2nd and 3rd classes.' Reports his progress from the Cape, and his inability as yet to see Halley's or Encke's comet.
Discusses arrangements for the printing of a portrait of JH in some copies of a forthcoming volume [JH's Cape Results].
On the difficulties of writing his book [Cape Results]. Feels he has been at everyone's disposal but his own and is finding notes made at the Cape difficult to decipher. Asks RS to report to him from Germany on the state of telescope manufacturing there and on the progress of F. G. W. Struve's great refractor.
Responds to JH's request for RS's opinion on [H. C.] Schumacher's contributions to astronomy. Praises Schumacher extensively.
Asks JH to review a publication RS was preparing. Comments on James South's claim concerning supposed defects in the telescope made for him by Edward Troughton. Suggests JH intercede with the government to get it to support G. B. Airy's reduction of the Greenwich planetary observations.
On JH's portrait, which RS is trying to send to JH at the Cape. Asks JH to forgive the 'liberty' he has taken with JH's 'physiognomy,' but RS wants to show off JH as an 'ornament' of Cambridge. Updates JH on Francis Baily's progress and the status of the St. Helena Observatory.
Suggests that JH publish JH's portrait along with his book [Cape Results]. Wants JH to approach the Duke of Northumberland with this idea, and if he has no objections, RS will put the touched up plate at the Duke's disposal. Does not like the idea of selling prints of it.
Suggests that JH print the portrait of JH with but not in JH's [Cape Results]. Has been working on Lt. Murphy's observations in Syria. Is pleased with M. J. Johnson's appointment to the Radcliffe Observatory. Asks JH for suggestions on projects for Johnson.
Sends JH the name and address of the printer who has an engraving arranged for by RS of JH's portrait. Requests that JH give thirty copies to Lady Herschel for her own use.