Having been provided with answers by JD to some questions by JH about color-blindness, JH now comments on them and offers some theoretical considerations.
Showing 101–120 of 5347 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.
Having been provided with answers by JD to some questions by JH about color-blindness, JH now comments on them and offers some theoretical considerations.
Outlines the changes he would like to see in the column for Equinoctial Time in the Nautical Almanac.
Describes enthusiastically the journey to the Cape, the beauties of the country, and the joys of astronomical observing there.
About the naming of asteroids.
Suggests the name 'Clio' for asteroid No. 59. Gives a list of proposed names for asteroids.
Describes the departure of an expedition north of the Cape, as well as the pleasures of the country and the beautiful skies for observing. The delivery of mail is, however, so erratic as to be vexatious.
Thanks RJ for having helped J[ohn] Stewart, [JH's brother-in-law], to a job; offers to try to get some South African statistics for the Statistical Society, and along the way comments on South African political life. JH describes life at the Cape, and the beauties of the skies.
Acknowledges receipt of some parcels, and then discusses in some detail JH's financial situation, including the fact that JH's aunt, Caroline, has refused the annual portion of rent from Slough. JH expresses concern for the safety of Mr. Calder, and concludes with some family news.
Comparing meteorological records from Bengal with those at the Cape, JH is led to some theoretical considerations about air movements, supporting his ideas with reference to other meteorological observations.
Has written a letter to Lord John Russell outlining the case of Andries Stockenström. Does not wish to become involved in Cape politics or the affairs of the Anti-Slavery Society much as he appreciates their importance.
Provides an account of JH's observatory arrangements, some interesting observations, and the effect of the weather on observing.
Describes JH's location at the Cape and his observational sweeps, lists nebulae and double stars, as well as comet and eclipse observations. [Letter finished on 1835-3-5.]
Takes it that the expense of the Sinai Expedition so far carried out has been met from the funds. Sees no objections to a continuation of the expedition.
Comments on CW's work on light and on the velocity of electricity. JH's ruminations lead him to the idea of motion pictures.
Comments on the pros and cons of a statue or professorship in memory of John Dalton. Would favor a professorship. Thinks the rules should be amended. Knows a good man for the position.
Comments on the possible loss of some mail going to England, the longitude of Mauritius, and the tides at the Cape. Wonders if anyone was able to observe Halley's Comet during the recent solar eclipse.
Compares JT's observations of stars very favorably with most others available to JH; explains how JH had helped Thomas Maclear improve the mounting on a telescope at the Cape observatory, together with comments on other equipment.
Found some old packets of seeds of Protea yesterday and wonders if he would like them to be sown to see if they would germinate. Comments on some of the plants in his garden. Tried some Peruvian potatoes.
Comments on financial arrangements for John [Stewart] together with other business matters, and asks for an estimate for printing the results of JH's Cape observations.
Some geological samples have been lost on the way to England; JH comments on his ideas of the effect of the earth's hot core on the construction of the earth's crust.