Comments on WH's spectroscopic examination of cometary tails [see WH's 1868-7-2].
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.
Comments on WH's spectroscopic examination of cometary tails [see WH's 1868-7-2].
Is grateful for his note. Has sent a paper to the R.S.L. on cometary phenomena and encloses a copy of the part in which he refers to JH's views. Would be glad if it were possible to explain the phenomena of tails.
Has been occupied with the wedding of his daughter [Amelia], so unable to read his paper before. Comments on the various theories regarding the tail of the comet. Regrets his statements do not agree with those of WH.
Much obliged for his suggestions regarding the comet; comments on these suggestions. His own observations were made on the comet, not its tail. Would be pleased for him to visit his observatory when in London.
Comments on WH's finding the carbon line in WH's spectroscopic examinations of cometary tails.
A note to accompany JH's biographical sketch of William Dawes.
Sending a photograph of a solar prominence he has received from Major J. F. Tennant. Comments on various features. At the Transit of Mercury he saw the phenomenon described by J. H. Schröter.
Thanks to WH for the photograph of solar protruberances; comments on polarization of light from the sun.
Has arranged for the last R.A.S.M.N. to be sent to him. Lieut. John Herschel has detected a fourth line in the spectrum of the Nebula in Orion.
Sends a proof of JH's obituary of W. R. Dawes. The concluding part of the manuscript was mislaid; would he therefore re-write the missing portion. Hopes to attend Professor Alexander Herschel's lecture this evening.
Note with return of proof of JH's biographical sketch [see WH's 1869-1-22] of William Dawes.
Professor Joseph Winlock of Harvard agrees with all WH's observations of Nebula of Orion. The observations at Bishop's Observatory between 1844 and 1851 appear to be the work of W. R. Dawes. Comments on the reasons why the bright lines are so easily seen.
Comments on some incorrect attributions to JH.
Comments on the radiant heat of heavenly bodies and the motion of Sirius.
About an increase in sun spot activity.
Has written to Lieut. John Herschel suggesting points on which solar observations might be valuable. Is pleased he has seen the bright lines. Saw some bright lines in the middle of the sun's disk.
Note to accompany the reported observations of JH's son John.
Would like his advice on how to publicize Lieut. John Herschel's letter; shall he send it to G. G. Stokes? Comments on the method for viewing the forms of prominences.
Thinks it would be best to send his son's letter to G. G. Stokes at the R.S.L. Cannot give a positive opinion on WH's plan for seeing the prominences. Finds some discrepancies in the Report of WH's paper on Sirius and the paper itself.
Has sent Lieut. John Herschel's letter to G. G. Stokes. Gives reasons for the discrepancies in the report of his paper and the paper itself. Is wondering whether to set up his large telescope further from London.