Received WS's note about G. B. Airy's action regarding new warrant for Board of Visitors. Feels that Airy's cooperation is necessary in light of anomalous position of one board member. Recommends referring matter to Admiralty.
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Received WS's note about G. B. Airy's action regarding new warrant for Board of Visitors. Feels that Airy's cooperation is necessary in light of anomalous position of one board member. Recommends referring matter to Admiralty.
Encloses copy of 29 July 1846 letter from G. B. Airy, who refuses to act on any further recommendations from Board of Visitors so long as James South is member of Board. Insinuations by South in R. H. Inglis's motion before House of Commons are deemed malevolent by Airy, who no longer considers South competent to guide scientific inquiry.
Suggests method to check the effectiveness of James Dunlop's work at Paramatta Obsrvatory..
Asks JH's advice on the purchase of the lunar model. Anxious to see JH's new method of calculating double star orbits.
Sends copy of James Graham's letter concerning transfer of Paramatta Observatory to government authority. Thanks JH for advice on the matter. Discusses methods of magnitude estimation.
Discusses the purchase price of Mme. Witte's lunar model.
Lunar model will be placed in Somerset House.
Double star orbits not ready; R.A.S. waiting for JH's new calculating method. Reads accounts of Biela's Comet. Describes Edinburgh Observatory in detail.
Discusses controversy over the discovery of Neptune. Astronomical committee of R.S.L. advised to award U. J. J. Leverrier the Copley Medal.
Believes Beta Ursae Minoris to be a slow variable star. Remarks on diminution of the star's brightness between 1840 and 1841.
Receives report on poor state of Paramatta Observatory. Encloses letter from Thomas Brisbane, who believes James Dunlop should be removed from his post of authority there.
Sends copy of J. R. Hind's observations of Gamma Virginis; believes they are 'too slow.' Also sends report of the Charter Committee of the R.S.L. Believes R.S.L. not selective enough. Has difficultly using JH's method of magnitude determination.
Suggests trustees of British Museum make an offer for Mme. Witte's lunar model. Cape Results at press. Observed double comet.
Discusses magnitude determination. Refers to incident in which one of WS's sons will be removed from his position but not given poor references. W. S. Jacob sends double star measurements.
Believes council should decide the handling of the medal over the discovery of Neptune. Thinks that if J. C. Adams receives a medal, U. J. J. Leverrier should receive 'the more prominent distinction.'