Apologizes for controversy at meeting with James South over the transit circle.
Showing 1–20 of 91 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.
Apologizes for controversy at meeting with James South over the transit circle.
Microscopes installed successfully. Describes observation of second satellite of Jupiter transiting the disk of the planet and how it seemed to linger at the planet's edge.
Agrees to contribute to W. S. Stratford memorial presentation. Agrees with JH that Jupiter satellite observation was an optical illusion; sends sketches of more Jupiter observations. Sends data obtained with new instruments.
Mr. Stocken[?] has discovered a comet; have been unable to observe it due to poor weather.
Sends information on occultation of Alpha Tauri. Describes meteors sighted during the night of 12 Aug.
John Lee has obtained transit circle for Astronomical Society. WS suggests someone other than Thomas Maclear operate it so Maclear has time for occultation project. Details observations of aurora.
Has difficulty observing sun spots. Thomas Maclear sends WS information for next year's occultation of Alpha Tauri. Completes rotating roof for personal observatory.
Prof. Barlow's paper on 'fluid refractor' leaves WS doubting JH's report of Beta Capricorni.
Pleased that JH has received knighthood. Observes Alpha1 Capricorni in attempts to see a double star. Thanks JH for double star observation outlines; asks for a 'large supply' of them.
Will observe transit [of Mercury] hoping it will provide good meridian data. Encloses sketch of telescope in Bedford.
Sends Gamma Virginis observations. Devotes time to nautical astronomy; experiments with formulae for calculating occultations. Takes interest in eclipse of Jovian satellites.
Sends micrometer observations of stars suggested by JH.
Unable to spot Biela's Comet. Outstanding observing conditions allow WS to sight normally difficult objects. Makes suggestions concerning JH's rotating roof plans.
Sights bright patch on moon; asks JH to confirm the observation.
Will be able to receive JH during Cambridge trip.
Meets Lord Bute at Oxford. Requests JH observe Gamma Virginis, Castor, and Polaris with WS's 10-ft. achromatic telescope.
Sends best wishes for JH's journey to Cape. Regrets missing him at Bedford during Cambridge trip.
Very impressed after meeting W. R. Dawes and discussing double stars with him. Asks JH to send Gamma Virginis observations from Cape.
Sends observations of the double stars, which JH had suggested.
Thanks JH for Gamma Virginis observations, which are finally in accord with his. Sends observation of the double stars JH suggested watching. Works with Richard Sheepshanks. Francis Baily delivers details on Edinburgh meeting of philosophers. Sends news from Niccolo Cacciatore, who has returned to the Observatory in Naples.