Comments on several experiments with spectra passing through glass films.
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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.
Comments on several experiments with spectra passing through glass films.
[Addition to Mary Baldwin's letter.] Health of JH's uncle. Travels through volcanic country of Vivarais. Asks CH to purchase for JH 10 copies of the first volume of William Herschel's works, recently translated into German. Sent to CH six copies of JH's 'Account of a Series of Observations Made with a 20-feet Reflecting Telescope' (1826) via Mr. Golterman, and six copies of JH's 'On the Parallax of the Fixed Stars' (1826) via Capt. Müller. James South received Copley Medal this year. Asks about comet near sun on 18 Nov.
Is making arrangements to meet with TH in London.
Tells CB of the mistake on the certificate for admission [to the R.S.L.?] for Mr. Moreau, which meant it had to be withdrawn. Doubts that reapplication would be successful. Other news from London.
Will send JH some barometric observations; describes the barometers with which the observations were made.
Discusses casting and construction of telescope speculae.
Discusses construction of his 20-foot reflecting telescope, which he modeled after the 40-foot reflector at Slough. Discusses differences of gallery and asks for advice.
Discusses the construction of JR's telescope. Mentions a number of material changes that must be made if it is to be used for sweeping [see JR's 1826-9-30].
Heard election for position in London will not take place for several weeks. If JH can secure situation in Virginia for WR, WR will accept it.
Accepts dinner invitation. Hopes no emergencies arise that would prevent their visit.
If possible, send a magnetic needle and the prescription for mixing chrome green paint for Mrs. Somerville. Enjoyed visiting JH's mother.
Sends directions for chrome solution and the magnetic apparatus and instructions for its use, as requested [in WS's 1826-8-2]. Discusses experiments with magnets.
Encloses a copy of a letter from the astronomer [George] Fisher, who strongly supports the practicability of work in Spitzbergen. Says the letter will be presented to the Council for its consideration in hopes that a special committee will be appointed. Urges JH to show the members the copy.
Denies any knowledge of a R.S.L. Council meeting. Trusts the council will make its decisions based on public duty and science, not on the fact that the decision must be defended in later discussions. Has passed [George] Fisher's letter on to members as ES requested.
Claims 'it never entered [his] head' that an appointed committee would be influenced solely by the need to defend its decisions. Restates his opinion that the subject should be properly considered.
Thanks JH and Charles Babbage for their paper on the magnetic experiments. Asks to have 20 extra copies of the paper on the rocket experiments made when it is printed. Speaks of travel expenses. Mentions [T. F.] Colby's opinions regarding the Spitzbergen measurements.
Informs WS that the Astronomical Society has voted WS a gold medal for WS's observations of double stars. Says he is now observing nebulae. Confirms receipt of WS's fourth volume of observations sent by [E. C. F.?] Knorre. Asks WS to verify [Henry] Kater's observations on black zones in Saturn's outer ring.
Sent medal to WS. Tells WS it was awarded to WS and [James] South. Speaks of [Francis] Baily's medal presentation speech. Lists books sent to WS.
Announces a new step to all astronomers toward understanding the solar system due to work of [Thomas] Clausen of the Altona observatory. Clausen recognized that the comet discovered by Biela was the same as that of 1805 and 1772. HS gives details of circumstances.
Offers to participate in determining stellar parallaxes by finding the angle position of double stars. Apprises Henry Kater that he has never seen Saturn's rings separated. Includes micrometer measurements of Saturn and Jupiter.