Showing 41–60 of 60 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.
Is trying to organize a meeting of the Magnetic Committee before the meeting of the B.A.A.S. in Cambridge, to deal with reporting and committee membership.
Further to arrangements about meeting [see JH's 1845-5-30].
Asks questions about how to proceed for the continuance of magnetic observations.
Regrets that he cannot attend B.A.A.S. meeting and stay with HL; thanks HL for his paper on the undulating theory.
Begs not to be chairman of the proposed Magnetic Conference Committee [see HL's 1857-10-19], but would serve on the committee.
Passes on the suggestion, from G. B. Airy, of the use of copper rings for damping the movements of measuring instruments in measuring terrestrial magnetism.
Sends procedures for preparation of the report of the Magnetic Committee for the meeting of the B.A.A.S., which JH cannot attend due to illness; asks some questions about achromatic lens theory.
Thanks HL for the response to JH's queries [see JH's 1859-9-4].
Sends to HL a sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell, comparing Brussels declination observations with those made in Toronto. JH frequently refers to HL's work on the subject of terrestrial magnetism.
R.S.L. committee for considering continuance of magnetic observations has recommended that hourly observations be carried out at Falkland Islands, Newfoundland, and Vancouver Island. Alternate stations are Ceylon and Bermuda. Will not print all observations. Hopes colonial governments will participate. JH and William Whewell will be at [B.A.A.S. meeting in] Leeds.
R.S.L. committee recommends continuing three magnetic observatories at Falkland Islands, Newfoundland, and Vancouver Island.
Responds to questions on magnetic circular sent out by JH [see JH's 1844-12-5]. Comments on continuing government funding for global system of magnetic and meteorological observatories. Suggests goals for future observers.
Not acquainted with proposal by A. T. Kupffer. Replies to queries by B.A.A.S. committee regarding continuation of magnetic and meteorological observatories. Expects self-registering instruments to supersede human observers soon.
Approves of proposal by A. T. Kupffer and Edward Sabine for international magnetic congress under JH's leadership. [Reply to JH's 1844-7-22 to HL.]
Reviews establishment of H.E.I.C. observatories and comments on quality of magnetic and meteorological observations at Simla, Madras, and Singapore. Has heard nothing from A. B. Orlebar, director of Bombay observatory.
Proposed date for B.A.A.S. meeting creates difficulty for HL. Assurance that no one other than JH could have provided such vital leadership for global magnetic survey. Doubts that [James] McCullagh could serve committee well; suggests [J. D.] Forbes instead.
Calls attention to vol. 3 of Toronto observations, where Edward Sabine, [T. R.] Robinson, and HL expressed their views on continuing magnetic observations. Emphasizes importance of discovering physical and mathematical laws that govern magnetic phenomena. Sufficient data already exist for this. Recommends continuing hourly observations for five more years at seven foreign observatories (listed). [JH note: Routing slip to B.A.A.S. committee, instructing each member to read and forward HL's recommendations.]
Forwarded JH's letter of 8 Aug. 1858 to members of magnetic committee, who will respond before B.A.A.S. meeting in Leeds next month. Asks that both committees meet jointly on first day. Edward Sabine is willing to superintend new series of observations proposed by JH.
Writes to ask for clarification of HL's views on the dispersion of light.
Activities at H.E.I.C. magnetic and meteorological observatories in Simla, Madras, and Singapore. Results from Simla, elevation 8000 feet, will complement high altitude observations in Europe. Vertical force instrument at Singapore is better than at all other stations, but high humidity there makes actinometer unreliable.