Thanks for and comments on paper on luminous and obscure radiation, particularly on extra spectral rays, incandescence of platinum, and experiment using transcalescence of iodine.
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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.
Thanks for and comments on paper on luminous and obscure radiation, particularly on extra spectral rays, incandescence of platinum, and experiment using transcalescence of iodine.
Finds JT's work on thermotics 'highly interesting,' although criticizes measurements of 'tenuity' of vapor, and explanation of scattering of sunlight and formation of corona around moon during eclipse.
Thanks for work on diamagnetism and magne-crystallic action [Researches on Diamagnetism (1870)], which JH is excited to read. Mentions long-abandoned plans for magnetization experiments. Envies those who can see JT's 'magic' experiments at Royal Institution.
Thanks for papers on diamagnetism and lecture on 'slaty cleavage.' Compares with phenomenon of 'ringing coins' in mint. Explains with examples conformity of JT's views with JH's own on geological stratification. Praises simplicity yet completeness of JT's work.
Wishes luck but expresses inability to help with new science journal [see JT's 1864-11-18].
Likes JT's explanation of sky's blue color. Has difficulty with JT's explanation of polarization of skylight. Comments on absorptive powers of vapor and liquid.
Describes experiment involving viewing spectrum of a light flash as it advances and recedes. [Marked 'not sent on further consideration.']
Reply to JT's 'Remarks on Radiation and Absorption.' Calls non-absorption of air and vapor key to understanding meteorological phenomena. Remarks on 'radiant heat' from moon.
Thanks for and comments on paper and lectures on 'diathermancy &c' of gases, scientific teaching, and solar chemistry. Regrets that JT mentioned all names connected with light research except JH's. Remarks on absorption of light, molecular vibrations.
Remarks on JT's papers on radiant heat and related role of moisture. Will send requested sample of rock salt. Explains difficulties using it and hopes JT will have better success, perhaps even repeating JH's experiments.
Believes Michael Faraday's boro-silicate of lead has not been used for telescopes, but JH and others have tried using it for other optical purposes. Describes method for producing veinless flint glass.
Clarifies letter on motion and structure modification of glaciers. JH thinks glacier ice unfavorable for exhibiting JT's phenomenon [see JT's 1856-7-30].
Suggests experiments with regard to polarization and vaporization, and comets' tails.
Thanks for paper on action of rays 'of high refrangibility' on gases and vapors. Attempts to understand reflection of wave motion on particles with diameters 'incomparably smaller' than length of wave.
Thanks for note [see JT's 1866-5-26] on improvement of the lecturing style of JH's son [Alexander]. JH's son has studied lecture's subject deeply and loves science; JH hopes will be physics professor at a 'considerable institution.'
Thanks for paper on action of solar and electric light on vapors, which should give JT further insight into blue color of sky and polarization of skylight. Comments on the latter. JH's son [Alexander] is working hard at Glasgow.
Thinks JT's work on polarization will lead to remarkable discovery. Discusses production of rainbow, parallels to Isaac Newton's explanation of black spot on a soap bubble, and problems in JT's undulatory theory explanation of reflection. In JT's experiments, what are nebulous particles produced by light in gas or vapor?
Thanks for paper verifying JH's prediction that explanation of blue sky color carries with it that of polarization of skylight. Involves ultimate link between chemical and analytical dynamics. Notes that 'neutral points' in sky polarization have yet to be explained; offers tentative explanation based on clues in JT's work.
Thanks for paper on comets. Offers questions, problems to be resolved, particularly on termination of comet.
Surprised that JT cannot obtain heat spots [see JT's 1864-11-14]. Describes glasses and lenses used.