Encourages WS to spend time observing nebulae and double stars, especially the latter, 'since [James] South has given up observing, and [W. R.] Dawes is in habitual ill health.'
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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.
Encourages WS to spend time observing nebulae and double stars, especially the latter, 'since [James] South has given up observing, and [W. R.] Dawes is in habitual ill health.'
Prof. Barlow's paper on 'fluid refractor' leaves WS doubting JH's report of Beta Capricorni.
Thanks WS for excerpt from Niccolo Cacciatore's letter; comments on the awarding of medals for merit, and points out some necessary conditions which must be considered if the observations of the satellites of Jupiter are to be used in determining the constant of aberration.
Advises WS on best ways to make a 'darkening glass' for solar observations. Also suggests method for delineating sunspots. Hopes WS will attend Nautical Almanac meeting and support his points. Completes two telescope mirrors and observes Uranian satellites. Asks WS to look for a double star between Beta1 and Beta2 Capricorni.
Discusses WS's observations of double stars and method of averaging positional determinations. Believes he has verified the two Uranian satellites observed by William Herschel.
Sends double star observations and periods. Asks WS if he has met W. R. Dawes. JH believes JH's eyes to be lacking in light sensitivity.
Notes that 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii have parallel proper motion; believes that James South overestimates the importance of this fact. Suggests double stars for WHS to observe.
Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.
Returned from Hanover visit. Observed the star WS had discovered between 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii. Requests WS to observe a nebula in which JH has spotted a triple star. H. C. Schumacher is recovering from illness, while H. W. M. Olbers is very ill and not expected to recover.
Sends positions of Biela's Comet. Has much success with repolished telescope mirrors and collimator. Designs equatorial revolving roof for Cape observations; sends sketches. Compares WS's, W. R. Dawes's, and JH's observations of Gamma Virginis.
Intends to visit WS after attending Cambridge B.A.A.S. meeting.
Reports observations with WS's equatorial during Bedford visit. Packs instruments for voyage. Pleased that Thomas Maclear will take post of Astronomer Royal at the Cape Observatory.
Unable to send Gamma Virginis observations because papers are packed. Declines offer of WS's transit circle for use at Cape.
Chooses a publisher and printer for Cape Results. Decides against getting portrait painted. Makes suggestions for observations.
Does not have operational telescope. Suggests WS set 1840 as epoch.
Wants WS to make a choice between the several skeleton forms JH has devised for recording astronomical observations. Also comments on orbit of Gamma Virginis and 30 Scorpii, as well as Encke's Comet.
As no one seemed to be finding Biela's Comet, JH sat up several nights looking for it and now has located it.
Discusses contribution of WS's son, C. P. Smyth, as Thomas Maclear's assistant. Discusses observations of Halley's Comet, Gamma Virginis, other celestial objects, and the use of a double image micrometer.
Thanks JH for Gamma Virginis observations, which are finally in accord with his. Sends observation of the double stars JH suggested watching. Works with Richard Sheepshanks. Francis Baily delivers details on Edinburgh meeting of philosophers. Sends news from Niccolo Cacciatore, who has returned to the Observatory in Naples.
JH letter on Gamma Virginis read at R.A.S. meeting. Niccolo Cacciatore appointed to new position at Palermo Observatory, where he plans to sell the Almanack. Many R.A.S. members experimenting with telescopic lenses.