Discusses Cold Harbor. Suggests the Duke of Bedford [F. C. H. Russell] could help secure a pension for Thomas Maclear.
Showing 61–78 of 78 items
Discusses Cold Harbor. Suggests the Duke of Bedford [F. C. H. Russell] could help secure a pension for Thomas Maclear.
Thanks WS for C. P. Smyth drawings of Cape monument and Gamma Virginis observations. Notes J. H. Mädler's work on double stars and the doubt that they obey the inverse square law. Discusses use of photography in astronomy.
Sends P. H. L. Boguslawski's address. Asks WS to send J. H. Mädler's chart to P[eter] Stewart.
Approves of James Nasmyth's application to join R.S.L. Describes good points of Nasmyth's telescope. Supposes that if he had drawing talent, he would sketch the members of the R.S.L.
Discusses Neptune discovery controversy; believes both scientists should receive medals.
Plans to write John Russell in an effort to secure a pension for Thomas Maclear; asks for R.A.S. and WS's support. Asks WS to obtain some facts relevant to pension request.
Skeptical over plan for galvanic illumination of wires. Has not yet seen J. B. Biot article; states he has always held Biot in high regard. Discusses naming of new planet.
Believes Beta Ursae Minoris to be a slow variable star. Remarks on diminution of the star's brightness between 1840 and 1841.
W. R. Dawes observes sub-division of Saturn's rings. WS continues observing double stars recommended by JH.
Asks JH for description of JH's 'little sweeper' telescope; plans to give a sketch of it in WS's book.
Receives report on poor state of Paramatta Observatory. Encloses letter from Thomas Brisbane, who believes James Dunlop should be removed from his post of authority there.
Sends copy of J. R. Hind's observations of Gamma Virginis; believes they are 'too slow.' Also sends report of the Charter Committee of the R.S.L. Believes R.S.L. not selective enough. Has difficultly using JH's method of magnitude determination.
Thanks WS for copy of W. S. Jacob paper on American telescope. Hopes that Jacob will attempt Talbotypes of sun spots while at Aden.
Suggests trustees of British Museum make an offer for Mme. Witte's lunar model. Cape Results at press. Observed double comet.
Discusses magnitude determination. Refers to incident in which one of WS's sons will be removed from his position but not given poor references. W. S. Jacob sends double star measurements.
Believes council should decide the handling of the medal over the discovery of Neptune. Thinks that if J. C. Adams receives a medal, U. J. J. Leverrier should receive 'the more prominent distinction.'
Proposal of giving medals to both J. C. Adams and U. J. J. Leverrier by William Whewell turned down by R.A.S.
Gratitude for [Cape Results]. Feels JH 'let off [James] Dunlop in a softer stile than he deserves.'