Relays debate about the use of names of Roman gods for 'planets.' [Annibale] de Gasparis proposes to name his discovery in Italian, 'Igia,' rather than the Roman Hygia [Hygeia]. Which version will JH adopt?

Sends account of rainbow-like atmospheric phenomena; asks JH for an explanation. Remarks on American empirical discoveries. Too many hypotheses being put forward, including [Daniel] Kirkwood's. Comments on [B. A.] Gould and [Stephen] Alexander. Americans think they are absolute judges in scientific matters. Astronomische Nachrichten of 3 November contains improved method for computing planetary orbits.

Thanks JH for explanation of phenomena [see HS's 1849-12-4]. B. A. Gould [?] has begun to publish American version of Astronomische Nachrichten, but without strong financial backing.

[A. C.] Petersen [?] claims to have found a new comet near JH's nebula #379. Look for it, but do not announce this discovery.

Asks JH to accept sunspot observations made over 14 years by the late [J. W.] Pastorff of Altona Observatory. Accompanying micrometrical measurements are worthless due to mounting of telescope.

Sends [J. W.] Pastorff's solar observations [see HS's 1850-4-16] as JH's own property.

Reports that [Annibal] de Gasparis has discovered a new asteroid, Parthenope. Gasparis credits JH with the discovery because JH had proposed the name Parthenope when AG had discovered Hygeia.

Alexander von Humboldt requests that JH answer questions about 'coal sacks (plur.)' [Coal Sack of the Southern heavens].

Wilhelm Struve stayed several days with HS enroute from England to Pulkowa, but forgot to leave copies of [JH's Cape Results] for HS and K. L. C. Rümker. Later, Struve forgot to give these to G. B. Airy, who was visiting Pulkovo, for delivery to HS. HS has not yet seen Cape Results, or J. J. Lalande's catalogue to be sent by B.A.A.S. Happy to publish R.A.S. invitation for observations of solar spots. Short poem about Rümker losing a comet.

HS was elected associate of Astronomical Society. This year's prize relates to theory of Saturn's satellites. Does HS plan to continue his table of apparent places of fixed stars?

Please forward biography of WH and a list of WH's papers to J. W. A. Pfaff, who plans to translate William Herschel's works into German.

JH willing to communicate with HS on worthwhile matters. Subscribes Astronomical Society to HS's Astronomische Nachrichten. Explains 'Prize Question.' Requests copy of F. W. Bessel's essay on fourth satellite of Saturn. Society resolved to print 'daily tables of 46 stars.'

Sends packet of books and papers for delivery to J. W. A. Pfaff, copy of JH's 'Essay on Physical Astronomy,' and JH's and James South's work on double stars. Promises to send biographical notice of William Herschel. Astronomical Society received HS's 'Schreiben en Dr. Olbers.'

Orders missing issues of Astronomische Nachrichten. Answers HS's question about JH's essay on Physical Astronomy. James South's testimony 'vindicated' Josef Fraunhofer's repeating micrometer to Edward Troughton. C. F. Gauss's mode of determining powers of telescopes. Nothing heard of Captain [Maughan?]. Directions for sending [K. L.] 'Harding's atlas' to JH. Gives J. F. Daniell's address. Astronomical Society is gratified that HS dedicated book to it. Shall direct Robert Molyneux to send L. A. Fallon's clock to HS.

Sends HS's observations of magnetic declination and dip near London for forwarding to Carl F. Gauss. Encloses a letter from Edward Sabine.