Showing 1–20 of 28 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.
Has just received a memoir from Bastiaan Bomme of Middelburg on the comet of 1264 and 1556. Sends the chief results. Comments on the findings and future appearances of the comet.
Has received the papers JH sent and values them highly. Can JH advise him on making regular observations of sun spots. Explains his apparatus.
Thanks for birthday gift. Health of friends.
Thanks for [?]'s kindness shown to JH's son [?] in visit to Mr. Peter's observatory. [?]'s friends 'the Wrenches' are well.
Writes about possible astronomers to send to Trivandrum in India.
Other possibilities for post at Trivandrum [see JH's 1850-3-[30 or earlier]].
More on prospects for the vacant astronomer post at Trivandrum.
About an error in the annual report of the R.A.S.; would RS give some thought to a suitable candidate for the post of astronomer at Trivandrum, made vacant by the death of John Caldecott.
Asks JH about RP's astronomical deductions concerning the ancient dates of five celestial phenomena, e.g., heliacal rising of Sirius, a new moon.
Clarifies questions and includes his calculations of number of days since the five phenomena (see RP 1850-3-13). Will send some calculations to Astronomer Royal.
Glad JH received gelatine paper. Discusses magnetic experiments at Toronto and Hobarton. Discusses R.S.L. committees and preparation of instruments for Arctic expedition.
Hypothesizes that annual variation of Dip and Total Force at Toronto may be caused by greater proximity of earth and sun. Discusses annual variations.
Thanks for clarifications on grant comments [see JH's 1850-3-14]. JH's work is plentiful and time is short, so wishes not to undertake public projects, like working on R.S.L. grant committee. Received RM's enclosure regarding Russian Academy. Has heard nothing about medal committee.
Regrets missing JH's visit; discusses influences of atmosphere and solar position on Indian weather and difficulty it causes in obtaining meteorological laws.
Thanks Mrs. Sabine for translation of third volume of Alexander von Humboldt's Kosmos. Admires its author. Questions references in notes. Discusses meeting for Wintringham Committee.
Has received report of R.S.L. grant committee, noting that it did not adopt three of his recommendations. Asks questions. Is glad that RM and Charles Babbage are again on friendly terms.
Has been requested to serve on committee on R.S.L. government grant [see JH's 1850-2-15] and to draw up report to council for adoption on next day. JH declines request but offers opinions, suggestions, and a resolution.
Thanks to [Francis] Ronalds for supply of paper. Comments on ES's discovery about direction of change in earth's magnetism, relating it to sun's and other electric currents. In this light, discusses auroras. Mentions abolishing of R.S.L. scientific committees and possible successor to John Caldecott.
Recommends F. E. Wilmot for election to R.S.L.
Announces R.S.L. committee meeting concerning a government grant. Invites JH to dinner after the meeting.