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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.
Tells GA about the internal counterpoise system in use in some German telescope mountings, and includes a diagram; JH knows nothing about chilling speculum metal [see GA's 1849-3-7].
S. J. A. Compton [Lord Northampton] has addressed a private letter to Robert Peel [see GA's 1845-10-9].
Robert Peel has suggested that the Admiralty has money available to pay for improvements in scientific instruments of value to navigation.
Encourages GA to ask the Admiralty about the implications of Robert Peel's statements [see JH's 1845-9-29 or earlier].
Will now work with S. J. A. Compton, the President of the R.S.L., to try to get fair treatment for another applicant for the Admiralty money [see GA's 1848-9-25].
Gives reasons why telescope for Cape Observatory should be as perfect as possible. Doubts that its 'finder' is adequate.
Results of testing at Collingwood by JH and W. R. Dawes of two 8-inch object glasses made by William Simms for Cape of Good Hope observatory.
Supplement to JH's report [see JH's 1845-10-10] on object glasses for Cape Observatory. Different results at lower powers when observing planets.
Further clarification to JH's 1848-10-26.
Humphrey Lloyd wants R.S.L. and B.A.A.S. committees on magnetism to meet together at B.A.A.S. meeting in Leeds. JH suggests inviting Edward Sabine.
After collecting and reducing all nebula observations by JH and William Herschel, JH objects to GA's suggestion that JH should pay for calculations needed to prepare catalogue of nebulae. Hesitates to request additional funds from R.S.L.
Acknowledges receipt of Royal Observatory's astronomical, meteorological, and magnetic observations for 1863.
Concerned about 'Commercial weight' of new standard of weights and measures.
Reliability of measuring instruments used in scientific and public surveys. Approves George Peacock's suggestion to revise survey tables for use by non-scientist surveyors. Schools should teach only legalized systems of weights, measures, and money.
JH responds with an assessment of the Indian observatories [see GA's 1866-9-24].
About the health of Richarda Airy and that of JH.
Sends on announcement of 'new planet Parthenope' from Annibal de Gasparis at Naples.
Details of how coins are tested and stamped for weight. Procedures are not regulated, and variances are common. Encloses Mr. Miller's letter on decimal coinage. [JH annotation: 'Substance sent to Airy March 21 / 53 but altogether diff in form and wording.']
Has not heard from Thomas Maclear [see GA's 1844-3-12]; has the Cape equatorial object glass been dealt with?
Tells GA about a new comet becoming visible.