Showing 141–160 of 276 items
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.
Encloses letter from Humphrey Lloyd, whose opinion of himself ES finds unpalatable. Asks for letter's return via Francis Beaufort.
Requests recommendations on the instructions proposed by ES for the magnetic expedition to Africa. Encloses meteorological observations by [Edward] Belcher, and other data related to magnetism in North America.
Relates arrangements for the magnetic observations at Lucknow in India. Proposes using Göttingen mean time for observations at Lucknow. Humphrey Lloyd relates that Captain Boileau has begun observing at Sinnlaw [Sikkim?] after preliminary moisture-related difficulties with the instruments. ES proposes solution. Charles Riddell reports safe arrival of magnets from Lloyd. Riddell and Lieutenant Younghusband approve of survey of the American possessions, but R.S.L. has not yet considered it.
Encloses letter from Mr. Meyerstein concerning the sending to England of a magnetometer with improvements introduced by Wilhelm Weber. Asks JH to arrange for the payment of the bill.
Asks JH to petition King Christian VIII of Denmark to support the Altona observatory.
Thanks JH for suggesting that the R.A.S. write to King Christian VIII, but requests that JH include his own name and mention Astronomische Nachrichten.
Has been busy with geodetic work. Pulkowa instruments are excellent. [F. W.] Struve has sent zenith distances of Ursa Majores. [G. von] Reichenbach's death dealt blow to precision of Munich instruments.
Rejoices at welcome JH received on returning to England from the Cape. Excellent resources at his disposal at Pulkowa. Mentions coin, commemorating opening of the observatory, sent to JH by means of [H. C.] Schumacher. Refers to [Otto] Struve's work on double stars. Lauds capacity of large refractor at Pulkowa Observatory.
Sends publications from Royal Academy and Brussels Observatory. Asks 'particular indulgence' for one about vapors. Is now able to do observations required by R.S.L. A Gauss instrument has been mounted. Gives times of observations each day. Continues horary observations.
Still waits for the instrument that Edward Sabine had built. Wishes to make actinometer observations but has no instrument. Asks JH to have one made. Sends observations from Italy trip to Sabine to present to R.S.L. Continues horary observations.
Refers to meteors of August. JH's account similar to [Edward] Herrick's. More meteors seen in America. Sends magnetic and meteorological works. Had hoped to go to Glasgow.
Explains results obtained by R.S.L. subcommittee considering state of meteorological journal published in R.S.P.T. Wonders about feasibility of establishing 'simple but accurate meteorological register' under public authority.
Instruments JH referred to may not be best for JH's purposes.
Discusses difficulties with establishing public magnetical and meteorological observatory. Mentions other business.
Council passed 'with great unanimity' resolutions regarding permanent magnetic observatory to be established in London.
If JH wishes, will continue barometric [?] observations at Royal Society Apartments, which observations JH had requested while at Cape.
Further remarks on council meeting about permanent magnetic observatory and G. B. Airy's answer [to invitation to head it?]. Awaits communication from William Lamb (Lord Melbourne).
Has talked to William Lamb (Lord Melbourne) about permanent magnetic and meteorological observatory. Was received 'as well as we could have anticipated,' but without definite answer. Thinks head for observatory should be appointed and give lectures.
Describes difficulties in attempting to produce good meteorological register and establish national meteorological observatory.
Thanks for JH's letters and the paper on photography with special reference to the effects of heat. Was present at the R.S.L. during consideration of a national observatory. Would like JH's opinion. Is working on a supplementary report on meteorology.