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.
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.
Read John William Draper's papers; although he believes that Draper's instruments are inconsistent, JH feels that they are still important because they are measurable. Decries [L. F.] Moser's skepticism of photography's value, calling it a 'blindfolding to some of the most interesting physical relations that have ever been discovered.'
Sorry to hear RH has been ill; JH sends some photographic examples.
Enjoyed CH's last letter.
Congratulates TM on work at Zwartland. Fears Cape Results will not be ready within the year.
Plans to calculate Gamma Virginis orbit. Received WS paper on astronomical observations. Suggests WS look for a house in Kent after learning plans to move near London.
Thanks WS for C. P. Smyth drawings of Cape monument and Gamma Virginis observations. Notes J. H. Mädler's work on double stars and the doubt that they obey the inverse square law. Discusses use of photography in astronomy.
Needs some clarification of GA's letter [see GA's 1842-9-16] before JH is ready to reply about the calculating engine.
Thanks GA for exercising GA's usual discretion in the matter of the funding of Charles Babbage's calculating machine [see GA's 1842-9-26].
Concerning Airy's papers recently submitted [see GA's 1842-1-5]. Hopes he will continue to send a report of his experiments and observations.
Reply to GA's letter on Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Letter of introduction for some friends of JH, to FA in Bonn.
Has passed on the papers sent by FA. Tables of chief stars. Observations on FA's letter of 28 October 1842 [see FA's 1842-10-28]. Sends observations of Orionis.
Gives GA some accounting of standard weights in Britain, and feels that it would be worth acquiring Robinson estate weight [see GA's 1842-9-22].
A letter of introduction, asking GA to show the observatory to a Mr. Knipping from Hanover, a relative of JH's aunt Caroline.
Regrets that he knows nothing about J. J. Littrow. A new astronomical instrument. Weather has been most unsuitable for observations.
Thanks for the information on the eclipse. Comments on this. Events at the B.A.A.S. meeting. News of Wilhelm Struve's activities.
Has sent the papers on the eclipse to G. B. Airy.
Has written to G. B. Airy. Regarding the various reports of the recent eclipse.