Showing 21–40 of 81 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.
Has been too ill to write terrestrial magnetism paper for Edinburgh Review. Suggests other people to write it.
Has signed certificate for [W. F.] Hook. [See ES 1861-12-5] Congratulates ES [on presidency of R.S.L.]. JH on B.A.A.S. balloon committee. Proposes design for metallic thermometer.
Pleased ES and [Balfour?] Stewart like plan for metallic thermometer. Suggests way to obviate effect of pendulous movement of the suspended weight.
Discusses proposed Melbourne telescope, including [William] Lassell's proposed mounting and its implications for observing nebulae.
Agrees that the pendulum should be observed at major Indian stations because Russians did not avail themselves of offered vacuum apparatus and pendulums.
Returns [Warren] de La Rue's letter and discusses its contents, especially the making, mounting, and mirror for de La Rue's reflecting telescope.
Expresses interest in Swedish plan to survey Spitzbergen and to measure meridian of arc. Discusses gravitometer being developed by [Jacques] Babinet.
Accepts invitation to dine with ES. Working on sixth edition of Outlines Astr. Has sent argument against converting to metric system to Leeds.
Did not realize [John] Hennessey was considering constructing an achromatic telescope. Thanks ES for considering his son, Alexander, for the Melbourne post.
Discusses papers concerning light on [William] Sharpey's list. Discusses, very critically, Henry Brougham's optical researches.
Advises on the construction of the Melbourne reflecting telescope. Thinks [W. P.] Wilson should come to watch construction.
Encloses proposed resolution to controversy over whether to build railway tunnel under park. Will be unable to attend meeting because of chronic bronchitis.
JH's catalog of nebulae, reduced to 1880 as originally planned, is nearly complete and consumed all of £20 granted by R.S.L. Seeks £16 more to expand catalog and reduce data to 1860, as recommended by G. B. Airy.
Had hoped to attend ES's soiree, but has influenza. Praises ES's report on Mr. McClintock's magnetic observations at Port Barrow.
Gives reasons for and discusses technicalities of supporting pendulum experiments at astronomical and geodesical stations in Indian trigonometrical survey.
Discusses negotiations between government and R.S.L. regarding Meteorological Departments of Board of Trade.
Maintains that a first class refractor is not needed at Masouri in India [see ES's 1866-9-4]. No special characteristics there justify the great expense of such a project.
Sent proof for vol. 2 of St. Helena observations to JH. JH's promised article in Edinburgh Review on progress in science of terrestrial magnetism. Embarrassing delay by government in responding to Prince Albert's request for five-year magnetic survey is resulting in loss of interest among prospective directors. Proposal by Americans to assume leadership of survey in North America. Dutch observatory in Java and Jesuit observatory in Cuba.
A. D. Bache reports that U.S. will establish magnetic observatory in Washington Territory. ES is preparing instructions for North American survey. Suggests change to JH's proposed article on terrestrial magnetism in Edinburgh Review.
[Government refusal to support five-year magnetic survey] has eliminated services of T. W. Blakiston and Thomas Hull as directors of two magnetic observatories. Instruments for Montreal observatory. Recent magnetic changes in North America. Success of elder B. C. Brodie's eye operation.