Showing 81–100 of 221 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.
Offers opinions about the instructions to be furnished to the Cape astronomer, especially about tide and meteorological observations, and about surveying an arc. JH hopes to see Thomas Henderson before Henderson leaves for the Cape to assume the post of astronomer there.
Sends double star observations and periods. Asks WS if he has met W. R. Dawes. JH believes JH's eyes to be lacking in light sensitivity.
Notes that 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii have parallel proper motion; believes that James South overestimates the importance of this fact. Suggests double stars for WHS to observe.
Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.
Congratulates JH on his knighthood.
Writes to tell James Hudson where to find tables that will allow comparison between Italian and English measurements.
Is arranging to spend an evening with TH and [J. J.] Lister.
Has received a copy of JH's paper on double stars, but is confined to bed by a severe attack of rheumatism, so is not sure when he can finish the corrections.
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.
Sends condolences on the death of MF's husband [Fearon Fallows]. JH thanks MF for her kind offer of information about the Cape; JH is so unsure of ever being able to go there that he hopes that MF will not mention this to anyone.
Received packet from JH. Will attend meeting at Greenwich in June. Describes [James] Bradley's observations of stars in Gamma Virginis.
Introduces Miss Hope, who has been studying mathematics with WR. WR has made some curious discoveries in Voltaic electricity.
Is a candidate for Rectorship of Ayr Academy. Asks for testimonial from JH. Having financial difficulties and must leave London.
Describes experiment of [Walter] Trevelyan with heated metals and lead, which produced a variety of sounds. New experiment will be described in [David] Brewster's journal.
Mentions earlier letter [RS:HS 14.383]. Discusses proposed meeting of the Cultivators of Science, which would occur that summer. Asks if JH would be interested in attending.
Sending more ale. Abandoning AR's theory of comets coming from solar volcanoes, although he thinks it is somewhat consistent with observed phenomena of solar spots.
Sir James Mackintosh wishes to meet JH. Invites the Herschels to a dinner party for this purpose.
Fears JH did not receive dinner invitation because he has not replied. Hopes he will be able to come.
JH was in Isle of Wight and did not receive dinner invitation. Apologizes for not coming. Asks when Mrs. Somerville's book [Mechanism of the Heavens] will be published.
Brought a copy of Mrs. Somerville's book [Mechanism of the Heavens] to Chancellor [Henry Brougham]. Wants JH to review it for the Quarterly Review. The Chancellor wishes to know if JH would like to be knighted.