States the case for the accuracy of the observations and reports of the discoveries of the sixth and seventh satellites of Saturn made by JH's father, William. [This letter seems to be tied to JH's 1844-7-22 in terms of date of writing.]
Showing 1–13 of 13 items
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.
States the case for the accuracy of the observations and reports of the discoveries of the sixth and seventh satellites of Saturn made by JH's father, William. [This letter seems to be tied to JH's 1844-7-22 in terms of date of writing.]
Encloses star observations. Comments on his instrumental system. Cannot find the rule for position when two stars are of equal magnitude. Neptune with the convicts is anchored in Simon's Bay, awaiting the answer from H. G. Grey (3rd Earl Grey).
Privately acknowledges lack of clarity in William Herschel's report of discovering Saturn's inner rings, but JH was hurt by James South's public refutation of that discovery and by [T. R.] Robinson's abrupt refusal to communicate. Reviews WH's papers to demonstrate falsity of South's claim. Asks TM's opinion.
'Penny Post' is deluging JH with nuisance mail. Reviews JH's efforts to obtain object glass for equatorial telescope at Cape of Good Hope. Trying to convince G. B. Airy to purchase from Merz and Mahler in Munich, rather than from William Simms. Russia is using TM's 'Cape Arc' in survey of its entire country.
Remarks on observation of new comet. Discord in R.A.S. follows Francis Baily's death. C. P. Smyth will leave Cape after being appointed Astronomer Royal to Scotland. Glass for Cape equatorial tested. JH has no success appealing for continuation of Colonial Survey. Southern constellation reform compromised.
Four appointed directors sent to Cape schools. Will leave Slough in two weeks for Collingwood. Laid William Herschel's telescope to rest at Slough.
Congratulates TM on work at Zwartland. Fears Cape Results will not be ready within the year.
Karl Hencke discovers the asteroid Astrea. Admiralty orders complete equatorial for Cape Observatory; JH explains delay. Complains of poor health.
Complains of lack of time for correspondence. Equatorial for Cape Observatory completed. Advises TM to take relaxed observatory schedule to recover health. Cape Results published. Works on Outlines Astr. New governor arrives in Cape Town.
William Mann applies for Madras Observatory post; JH believes TM should be consulted for recommendation. [Andrew] Graham, observer for E. J. Cooper, discovered the asteroid Metis. Describes children's education.
Thanks TM for double star observations. Refers to convict incident in South Africa.
Describes controversy over his father's discovery of two satellites of Saturn in detail. Hopes to publish Cape Results before end of year.
Tries to obtain equatorial telescope for Cape Observatory. Works only on Cape Results and his children's education. Mentions reforms in southern constellations. Announces birth of seventh daughter [Mathilda Rose].