Describes JH's location at the Cape and his observational sweeps, lists nebulae and double stars, as well as comet and eclipse observations. [Letter finished on 1835-3-5.]
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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.
Describes JH's location at the Cape and his observational sweeps, lists nebulae and double stars, as well as comet and eclipse observations. [Letter finished on 1835-3-5.]
Has just finished the observations of Mars and the circle is free from any particular use. Further comments on his query regarding the motion of the center of the mural circle. Would like JH's assistance on the examination. Has had some brass ingots stolen from the observatory.
Sends the projection of Monday's readings and one of those from the lever of contact for comparison; comments on this.
Suggests a means of resolving TM's problem with the mural circle.
Has replied to Richard Sheepshanks in the Memoirs of the Astronomical Society. Is surprised how near he got to the general figure described by the Circle Centre. Comments on calculations he intends to carry out. Cannot say decidedly that Zeta Octantes is double; it is doubtful seen through the 8-ft. transit.
Additional approaches to resolving TM's mural circle problem [see JH's 1835-2-5].
More on the mural circle [see JH's 1835-2-7].
Is considering issuing a translated edition of JH's astronomical work. All of France awaits the valuable results that are sure to come out of JH's journey to the Cape, and JP will be pleased to translate it.
About race relations in South Africa, and anti-slavery movements in England.
Mentions letter from William Whewell sending JF JH's interesting but puzzling meteorological results. Will communicate them to a Dr. [John?] Davy at Malta. Has been busy preparing lectures. Made a short tour in England last summer. G. B. Airy has been awarded the Lalande Medal.
JH describes his sweeps of Scorpio. Writes that the Milky Way is 'extremely curious and interesting.' Has collected a large catalog of southern nebulae, many never before detected. JH's search for Halley's Comet has been unsuccessful thus far.
MH discusses her determination to educate the Herschel children herself.
Adds clock to telescope, enhancing distance measuring power. Search for Halley's Comet begins. Reports double star data; observes nebulae in JH's Catalogue of Nebulae. R.A.S. location moved to Somerset House. Quarrel between James South and Richard Sheepshanks being arbitrated.
Has just been made president of the R.A.S. No news of John Pond's retirement. R. A. Cauchoix's telescope has arrived. Printing of his 1834 observations are well advanced.
Describes the tests and adjustments JH has recommended to Thomas Maclear to try to remove anomalies from the functioning of the transit circle at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope; also comments on the beauty of some southern nebulae.
Intends to dispatch a parcel of books to JH and has he anything he would like to include in the parcel?
Reports erecting his telescopes at the Cape and on his observations, especially of double stars, during his first year there.
Discusses tidal observations made at the Cape and a paper by WW on tides. Praises viewing conditions at the Cape. Describes political struggles at the Cape.
Would like a note of JH's speech to the Supporters of Infant Schools, last week. Comments on the educational facilities at the Cape.
Would like to hear of any new discoveries. Is pleased he will see JH on his way home from the Cape. Nothing happening at the moment to Etna.