Thanks WS on behalf of JH's brother-in-law [Peter Stewart?] for acting on [Peter Stewart's?] behalf to make him a member [?]. Comments on some comet sightings.
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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.
Thanks WS on behalf of JH's brother-in-law [Peter Stewart?] for acting on [Peter Stewart's?] behalf to make him a member [?]. Comments on some comet sightings.
Received WS's note about G. B. Airy's action regarding new warrant for Board of Visitors. Feels that Airy's cooperation is necessary in light of anomalous position of one board member. Recommends referring matter to Admiralty.
Extract from observations of 70 Ophiuchi by F. W. Bessel. Results agree with WS's measurements by different method and increase WS's confidence. Hopes for more information on Gamma Virginis before finalizing WS's manuscript.
JH's theory of orbits of Castor and Gamma Virginis. Observations of Gamma Virginis by W. R. Dawes and by WS.
Problems with computation of Gamma Virginis.
Thanks for inspecting WS's [manuscript] and noting errors. Computations by Mr. Hinde [J. R. Hind?] from observations of Gamma Virginis by WS.
Encloses copy of 29 July 1846 letter from G. B. Airy, who refuses to act on any further recommendations from Board of Visitors so long as James South is member of Board. Insinuations by South in R. H. Inglis's motion before House of Commons are deemed malevolent by Airy, who no longer considers South competent to guide scientific inquiry.
Suggests method to check the effectiveness of James Dunlop's work at Paramatta Obsrvatory..
Sends copy of Cycle of Celestial Objects. Meets an excellent optician named [Richard?] Gwatkin, who shows him four self-made telescopes.
Sends comet observations from W. S. Jacob. Obtains 'another excellent epoch of Gamma Virginis.'
Believes that Thomas Galloway's paper on solar motion deserves a medal.
Asks JH to write an abstract of the discourse JH presented to R.A.S. Moon model is on display at R.A.S.
Compiles published work, unpublished work, and lectures; asks JH to proof the compilation. Discusses meetings of R.S.L. concerning charter by-laws.
Discusses the site of Cold Harbor. Visits the small personal observatory of J. G. Barclay, who WS thinks will produce good work.
Asks WS to take the chair at the next meeting of the R.A.S [probably concerning the Adams-Leverrier dispute].
Suggests John Lubbock's improvements in calculating planetary perturbations be discussed at a R.A.S. meeting. Plans to bring subject before the Council.
Asks WS if possible to enclose a note by Francis Beaufort to John Russell concerning request for pension for Thomas Maclear. Lays aside double star observations; continues work on orbit equation.
Skeptical of reports of seeing Jupiter's satellites with the naked eye.
Asks JH's advice on the purchase of the lunar model. Anxious to see JH's new method of calculating double star orbits.
C. P. Smyth receives appointment as Astronomer Royal of Scotland. Again thanks JH for recommendation.