Comments on calculation of star locations, and how to make special observations.
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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 calculation of star locations, and how to make special observations.
Is reading JH's book and marvelling at the condensed amount of information it contains. Has been observing some of Wilhelm Struve's more difficult objects. Regarding the double star Antares. Has been testing his telescope for errors and found it accurate.
Will be pleased to accept his offer of the glass wedges. Bad weather has upset his observations. Gives some of his recent observations. James Challis doubts the existence of a ring round Neptune. Is not impressed by Capt. W. S. Jacob's observations.
Returning the sheets of JH's Cape Results together with a list of errors he has noted. Regarding further reading of star Antares. Thanks for the glass wedges. Hopes weather will improve for JH's journey.
Observed a bright nebulous mass this evening. Gives readings for it. The comet is proceeding North. Has notified the Times.
If not too busy JH would have doubtless seen the recent comet on several evenings. Gives latest observations of Saturn and its satellites.
Sending paper by Andrew Ross, who would be glad of any comments. [William] Simms informs him that he has improved his 8" object glasses. Gives recent observations for Enceladus.
Will certainly help him regarding the Cape dome. Gives details of his mounting. Sends a copy of his observations.
Has repaired the damage to his equatorial. Observed another of Wilhelm Struve's double stars last evening. Compares some of their star readings.
Mr. Morris, the Cranbrook carpenter, has the plan and specification ready. Would JH like to see it before sending it to the Admiralty, presumably through Francis Beaufort?
Has found that Orionus is a double star. Compares William Lassell's and Wilhelm Struve's observations of various stars.
Admiralty have applied to Mr. Morris for the drawing of the stone pillar for the Cape equatorial by Georg Merz. Suggests that the type in use at Pulkowa be used. Weather prevented outing to Bodiam.
Returning JH's proof sheet with errors noted in pencil. Gives some of his recent observations on the satellites of Saturn.
Has experienced bad weather since the discovery of Saturn's 8th satellite. William Lassell proposes to call it Hyperion. Wishes Starfield Observatory was situated in a clearer atmosphere.
Recently observed Hyperion very faintly. Gives observation and drawings. The recent bad weather has prevented important observations.
Was grateful for C. R. Darwin's note. Glad to hear of the improved health of Sir J. Dundas. Gives recent observations of Alpha Virginis.
Sending a copy of the Torquay directory where Edward Vivian's comparison of thermometer readings are given. The climate of Torquay does not suit them; Mrs. Dawes is going north for a few weeks. Would like a comparison of the state of the weather for various parts of the country.
Regarding a certain Mr. Ray who applied for the position at Ormskirk. Is thinking about the removal of his observatory. His illness has upset his plans.
Suggesting someone suitable as a Greek scholar. News of his relations. Is pleased she likes his description of the solar eclipse. Regarding the priority of the discovery of the faint rings of Saturn.
Thanks for his help regarding his nephew. Hopes mild weather has not upset JH. Doubtless he has seen notes of the various observations of Saturn in R.A.S.M.N.