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Smyth, William Henry in addressee 
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Herschel1480

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[27 May 1830]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.5 (C: RS:HS 21.70)
Summary:

Thanks WS for excerpt from Niccolo Cacciatore's letter; comments on the awarding of medals for merit, and points out some necessary conditions which must be considered if the observations of the satellites of Jupiter are to be used in determining the constant of aberration.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1481

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[8 August 1830]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.6 (C: RS:HS 21.73)
Summary:

Advises WS on best ways to make a 'darkening glass' for solar observations. Also suggests method for delineating sunspots. Hopes WS will attend Nautical Almanac meeting and support his points. Completes two telescope mirrors and observes Uranian satellites. Asks WS to look for a double star between Beta1 and Beta2 Capricorni.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1482

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[6 September 1830]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.7 (C: RS:HS 21.75)
Summary:

Discusses WS's observations of double stars and method of averaging positional determinations. Believes he has verified the two Uranian satellites observed by William Herschel.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1485

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[1831]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.10
Summary:

Recommends WS pay attention to planetary nebulae, solid clusters, and double stars in his observations. JH lists some of each.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1878

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
1831
Source of text:
WT 91800.1
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1483

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[11 June 1831]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.8 (C: RS:HS 21.85)
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1484

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[9 August 1831]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.9 (C: RS:HS 21.87)
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4283

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[16 October 1831]
Source of text:
RS:HS 21.91
Summary:

Sends data concerning double stars and new form for making observations of them.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4521

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[23 May 1832]
Source of text:
RS:HS 21.109
Summary:

Sends observations of Gamma Virginis, which differ from those of WS and James South. Observed transit of Mercury. Has abandoned plans of going to Cape of Good Hope this year. Plans to visit Caroline Herschel in Hanover.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1486

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[17 July 1832]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.11 (C: RS:HS 21.114)
Summary:

Returned from Hanover visit. Observed the star WS had discovered between 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii. Requests WS to observe a nebula in which JH has spotted a triple star. H. C. Schumacher is recovering from illness, while H. W. M. Olbers is very ill and not expected to recover.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1487

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[25 September 1832]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.12 (C: RS:HS 21.116)
Summary:

Sends positions of Biela's Comet. Has much success with repolished telescope mirrors and collimator. Designs equatorial revolving roof for Cape observations; sends sketches. Compares WS's, W. R. Dawes's, and JH's observations of Gamma Virginis.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1879

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[4 November 1832]
Source of text:
WT 91800.2
Summary:

As no one seemed to be finding Biela's Comet, JH sat up several nights looking for it and now has located it.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1171

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[1833]
Source of text:
RS:HS 25.14.31
Summary:

Encourages WS to spend time observing nebulae and double stars, especially the latter, 'since [James] South has given up observing, and [W. R.] Dawes is in habitual ill health.'

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1488

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[3 June 1833]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.13 (C: RS:HS 21.137)
Summary:

Intends to visit WS after attending Cambridge B.A.A.S. meeting.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1489

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[28 July 1833]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.14 (C: RS:HS 21.142)
Summary:

Reports observations with WS's equatorial during Bedford visit. Packs instruments for voyage. Pleased that Thomas Maclear will take post of Astronomer Royal at the Cape Observatory.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1490

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[25 September 1833]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.15 (C: RS:HS 21.148)
Summary:

Unable to send Gamma Virginis observations because papers are packed. Declines offer of WS's transit circle for use at Cape.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4439

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[15 May 1834]
Source of text:
RS:HS 21.160
Summary:

Describes voyage to Cape as being uneventful. 20-ft. reflector operating since late February; has already examined much of the southern sky. Believes the Milky Way is not equidistant from the earth at all points; and that the earth is between Canopus and Alpha Centauri. Amazed at clusters such as Omega Centauri. Describes richness of Magellanic Clouds. Details progress in erecting instruments. Sends observations of Alpha Crucis, which he believes is a double star.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

SOMERVILLE610

From:
Mary Somerville
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
2 Sep 1834
Source of text:
Somerville College Library
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Brigitte Stenhouse

Herschel3034

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[26 December 1834]
Source of text:
South African Library
Summary:

Discusses contribution of WS's son, C. P. Smyth, as Thomas Maclear's assistant. Discusses observations of Halley's Comet, Gamma Virginis, other celestial objects, and the use of a double image micrometer.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4475

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[10 May 1835]
Source of text:
RS:HS 21.175
Summary:

C. P. Smyth appointment as assistant to Thomas Maclear pleases JH. Suggests method of determining right ascension of double stars with collimating telescope. Sends brochure proposing worldwide meteorological observations.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
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