On the 'misfortunes & mishaps' of the Aden magnetic observatory and on the proper care of magnetical instruments.
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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.
On the 'misfortunes & mishaps' of the Aden magnetic observatory and on the proper care of magnetical instruments.
Outlines theory behind and method for preparing thermographic paper, which allows observers to determine 'what share each ray of the spectrum bears in producing the observed total effects.'
Will be unable to attend Council meeting, but comments on issue to be discussed of whether R.S.L. should do anything respecting observatory at Hammerfest (North Cape).
On the preparation of paper to exhibit a thermal spectrum.
Notice on the 'final laying up' of the Old Telescope, with a 'Requiem of the Forty-Foot Reflector,' sung by JH's family on New Year's Eve.
Reports on and enthusiastically recommends for publication G. B. Airy's paper on light polarity [see RSPT, 130 (1840), 225-], which JH believes contains true explanation for phenomenon of spectra bands.
Alerts RS to the fact that there is an 'underhand sale' of the prints of [H. W.] Pickersgill's portrait of JH going on, as JH's cousin bought one.
JH concerned not so much that a few copies of the print of JH's portrait may have been sold, but that the plate itself may have been stolen and sold. Seems relieved to know that the plate was left with the printer, not the engraver. Asks RS to make an inquiry with the printer.
Thanks RS for all the trouble he took with the problem of his portrait. Is anxious to see the specimens of the engraved nebulae of which RS spoke, but confesses little hope in photographic 'reverses' of pencil drawings. Has installed his family at Collingwood.
Packing up the 7-ft. and 10-ft. reflecting telescopes for their trip to Collingwood in Hawkhurst in Kent, JH's new home.
JH has given away his sweeping telescope to [Johann] Hausmann and the 5-ft. Newtonian reflector to the R.A.S. to be preserved 'long after I and all the little ones are dead and gone.' The skies have been excellent for JH to observe variable stars and to connect the northern with the southern magnitudes. Proved that Alpha Orionis is both a variable star and a periodical star.
JH and family are beginning to feel at home at Collingwood.
Has a problem with the explanation of interference bands produced by mica being placed between the eye and prism-produced dispersion; the explanation is Baden Powell's.
Writes to supply GA with an address for a reply to JH's 1840-5-16.
Does not know anywhere that such processes as RH uses are used for registry work, although the idea is frequently raised.
Thanks GA for the time and trouble GA took in writing about interference bands [see GA's 1840-5-17]; JH's wife, Margaret, is making many visits to the dentist.
A note agreeing with GA about prism interference [see GA's 1840-5-20].
Will forward RH's paper to the R.S.L.; intrigued by RH's results using mercury vapor to produce the image on exposed paper.
Reports that there is no bust of William Herschel at the R.S.L., as JH once believed.
Hopes that his paper does not anticipate any of RH's work; will share with the R.S.L. any of RH's results. Laments that he is unable to fix the spectral colors on photographic paper. Asks if RH has studied the bromines.