Has received report of R.S.L. grant committee, noting that it did not adopt three of his recommendations. Asks questions. Is glad that RM and Charles Babbage are again on friendly terms.
Showing 61–80 of 106 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 received report of R.S.L. grant committee, noting that it did not adopt three of his recommendations. Asks questions. Is glad that RM and Charles Babbage are again on friendly terms.
Has been requested to serve on committee on R.S.L. government grant [see JH's 1850-2-15] and to draw up report to council for adoption on next day. JH declines request but offers opinions, suggestions, and a resolution.
Discusses possible recipients of Royal Medals, continuing to favor Edward Sabine.
Mentions cirrus cloud formations foreshadowing aurora. Is unable to attend R.S.L. committee meetings and concerned that 'outlying' members be able to relay opinions through letters.
Thanks to [Francis] Ronalds for supply of paper. Comments on ES's discovery about direction of change in earth's magnetism, relating it to sun's and other electric currents. In this light, discusses auroras. Mentions abolishing of R.S.L. scientific committees and possible successor to John Caldecott.
A Mr. Patton has applied for a position as astronomer. Is he 'conversant with practical observing'?
Calls JF's attention to an article in which an answer is attempted to JF's objection to 'the argument from probability of a physical connection between individuals of a double star.'
Reports on paper by William Thomson on mathematical theory of magnetism. Approves paper, but believes JH lacks expertise to report properly on it.
Believes Toronto magnetic observatory should somehow be continued, at least temporarily.
Regrets to hear of Edward Sabine's serious illness but praises ES's accomplishment and devotion; hopes ES will rest and soon recover good health.
Returns from vacation in France. Offers to be a trustee for the Cape Observatory. J. R. Hind has discovered asteroid Victoria.
Compliments WS on a written address. Describes how to set up a telescope to avoid unnecessary vibration; includes diagram.
A note accompanying a letter that seems to come from François Arago, and that seems to JH to show a disturbed state of mind; asks GA for his opinion.
Describes JH's decimal coinage system as he would like to see it introduced.
Introducing two German scientists who have written an elaborate work on the physical geography of the Alps. Thinks they may both benefit by their knowledge of each other. Has just returned from a ramble over volcanic country.
About Henry Warburton's theorem, and the Gregorian calendar.
Comments on calculation by Frédéric Petit of the hyperbolic orbit of the meteor of 19 Aug. 1847.
About JH's poor health; some problems in perspective. Having read a book on Egyptology, JH wanders off in flights of fanciful numerology.
Returns [WB's] paper on the zodiacal light. Notes error and offers JH's ideas about light's source.
Attests to W. R. Birt's scientific capabilities and dependability. Regrets Birt's departure from previous position.