Has enclosed with the letter 'a letter sketch of the 40 feet [telescope] (as it now stands) made without hands, by Photography.'
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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.
Has enclosed with the letter 'a letter sketch of the 40 feet [telescope] (as it now stands) made without hands, by Photography.'
The 20-ft. reflecting telescope used at Cape Town was delivered safely to Slough.
Reports the birth of JH's seventh child, Maria Sophia. Met Adolphus Frederick, the Duke of Cambridge, who asked about CH.
Reports that there is no bust of William Herschel at the R.S.L., as JH once believed.
The Herschels bought a Christmas tree this year; JH reports that his children loved it and that 'they will be sure to keep up the custom which is a very merry one.'
Has not unpacked William Herschel's letters that JH secured from the R.S.L.
Summarizes James Clark Ross's expedition to reach the Southern Magnetic Pole; JH reports that Ross has discovered that the pole lies several degrees more south than Carl Gauss had calculated.
Remarks that he is 50 years old, and that he and CH have 'seen something of that odd and most changeable compound called Human Nature.'
Describes the total solar eclipse seen by Francis Baily at Pavia and George Airy at Turin. They were thrilled to witness three purple flames from the blocked sun emerge around the edge of the moon. Thirty more Cape Town sweeps remain to be reduced.
Reports the birth of JH's ninth child, Julia.
Concerning the great comet of 1843, JH remarks that both Thomas Henderson and Johann Encke noted that the comet bounced off the sun's atmosphere.
Completed 'one of the most curious products' of JH's Cape Results: the map and catalog of the 'Nubecula major' region.
Enjoyed reading CH's account of some significant events from her life. Reports that James Clark Ross has returned safely from his South Pole expedition in which Ross discovered the true position of the South Magnetic Pole.
Happy that his Cape Results are nearly finished. After reviewing his work, JH concluded that the amount of error per observation is no more than 30 or 35 seconds.
[Written as a family letter.] JH has corrected the first proof sheet of his Cape Results. Reports that Biela's Comet has been found to be a double comet.
JH is sending with the letter a finished printing of his Cape Results, which JH describes as 'the completion of my Father's work—the survey of the Nebulous Heavens.' Also mailing a copy of the Cape Results to the King of Hanover. Wilhelm Struve, John Couch Adams, and U. J. J. Leverrier are visiting Collingwood.
Eliminated plans to visit Rio de Janeiro on the Herschels' return home, which will enable them to visit Hanover. Notes that JH's rheumatism attacks have interfered with his observations. JH considers his sweeping work finished. Has sent to the R.S.L. the first six hours of JH's 'Southern Catalogue of Nebulae and Double Stars' along with the micrometric measures of 400 southern double stars made with the equatorial.
Herschels safely landed from Africa and in fine spirits.
Enjoyed CH's last letter.
Wishes CH a happy 93rd birthday. Occupied with remodelling the Southern Constellations, which 'are all in confusion;' admits that not everyone will be satisfied with his constellation reforms.