Reports in detail JH's observations of Halley's Comet as observed from the Cape of Good Hope.
Reports in detail JH's observations of Halley's Comet as observed from the Cape of Good Hope.
Reports observations of the 'remarkable' increase in magnitude of the 'nebulous' star Eta Argus.
Reports dimming of Beta Ursae Minoris since ca. 1840. States that it is a slowly variable star.
Accepts with thanks J. Henry Griesbach's drawings of solar spots. Encourages others to observe the sun. Suggests the use of photography in recording solar spots. Pledges to give the R.A.S. all JH's drawings of solar spots.
Learned that R.A.S. plans to use aplanatic lenses for solar studies. Submits set of unpublished tables by W. L. Newman [see Newman's 1845-2-18] for calculating radii of such lenses. Refers to work of this kind by Josef Fraunhofer, [G. P.] Bond, K. A. Steinheil, and C. F. Gauss.
Describes a revolving eyepiece that could protect the eye from excess light in solar observation.
Reports JH's 1842 observation of a star near Epsilon Coronae, which may be tne new variable star [T Coronae].
There having been reports of changes in the nebula around Eta Argus, JH sends the R.A.S. a letter from JH's son John [see JH's son's 1868-11-23] reporting his observations of that object. JH adds his comments.
Expresses skepticism on the claims made by F. Abbott, observing from Tasmania, of the detection of changes in the Eta Argus nebula. Compares Abbott's drawings with drawings made by JH and and by JH's son John.