Cites quotation from Cape Results proving that JH invented the diagonal solar eyepiece. Discusses RH's claim. Note to JH accompanies this letter.
Showing 21–31 of 31 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.
Cites quotation from Cape Results proving that JH invented the diagonal solar eyepiece. Discusses RH's claim. Note to JH accompanies this letter.
Compares W. L. Newman's and CP's calculations of optical coefficients to those in JH's work. Sends JH formulae and tables for calculating telescopic lens thickness and shape in relation to the dimensions of the telescope. Wishes JH luck on Iliad.
Asks JH's opinion on CP's eclipse observations plans, especially on which equipment to use. Intends to use a 'diagonal solar eyepiece' during the eclipse. Plans to observe carefully and to sketch solar flares.
Sends observations of eclipse; asks JH to check accuracy. Details observations with diagonal solar eyepiece. Describes solar corona and lists bright stars visible during totality.
Observes and measures sunspots. Takes spectrum of solar photosphere; detects sodium and magnesium absorption lines. Pleased with Alexander Herschel's work on the solar spectrum; wishes he would begin work on stellar spectra.
Thanks JH for solar observations. Discusses 'willow leaves' observations made at Greenwich Observatory after following JH's suggestions for solar eyepiece.
Thanks JH for reading R.A.S. records. G. P. Bond will not receive R.A.S. medal. The Beaufoy Clock is recovered.
Richard Hodgson pursues claim to invention of the diagonal solar eyepiece while claiming that JH disclaimed the invention.
Compares JH's equation for lens curvature with that of C. F. Gauss.
Asks if JH still considering editing William Herschel's R.S.P.T. publications. Suggests that Alexander Herschel edit the work. Speculates that William Herschel observed the 'willow leaves.' JH's star catalogue will be printed by the R.A.S.
Gratitude for JH's gift of Caroline Herschel's autograph manuscripts to R.A.S.