Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.
Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.
Returned from Hanover visit. Observed the star WS had discovered between 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii. Requests WS to observe a nebula in which JH has spotted a triple star. H. C. Schumacher is recovering from illness, while H. W. M. Olbers is very ill and not expected to recover.
Sends positions of Biela's Comet. Has much success with repolished telescope mirrors and collimator. Designs equatorial revolving roof for Cape observations; sends sketches. Compares WS's, W. R. Dawes's, and JH's observations of Gamma Virginis.
Intends to visit WS after attending Cambridge B.A.A.S. meeting.
Reports observations with WS's equatorial during Bedford visit. Packs instruments for voyage. Pleased that Thomas Maclear will take post of Astronomer Royal at the Cape Observatory.
Unable to send Gamma Virginis observations because papers are packed. Declines offer of WS's transit circle for use at Cape.
Chooses a publisher and printer for Cape Results. Decides against getting portrait painted. Makes suggestions for observations.
Does not have operational telescope. Suggests WS set 1840 as epoch.
On the questions of the usefulness of occultations and the use of mean time in astronomy, JH would much value WS's opinions.
Wants WS to make a choice between the several skeleton forms JH has devised for recording astronomical observations. Also comments on orbit of Gamma Virginis and 30 Scorpii, as well as Encke's Comet.
As no one seemed to be finding Biela's Comet, JH sat up several nights looking for it and now has located it.
Explains, according to the laws of probability, how the arrows should have been distributed on the archery target at St. Leonard's, and compares that with the actual distribution.
Informs WS that JH located Encke's Comet the previous night, and gives the location.
Discusses contribution of WS's son, C. P. Smyth, as Thomas Maclear's assistant. Discusses observations of Halley's Comet, Gamma Virginis, other celestial objects, and the use of a double image micrometer.
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.
Thanks JH for Gamma Virginis observations, which are finally in accord with his. Sends observation of the double stars JH suggested watching. Works with Richard Sheepshanks. Francis Baily delivers details on Edinburgh meeting of philosophers. Sends news from Niccolo Cacciatore, who has returned to the Observatory in Naples.
Sends WS William Herschel's chromatic observations of Beta Cygni. Completing 'Catalogue of Nebulae.' Works on translating Book IX of Iliad; fears he will not complete translation of Iliad.