Sets out JH's preferences with regard to developing a system of reductions of astronomical observations that could then be easily applied.
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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.
Sets out JH's preferences with regard to developing a system of reductions of astronomical observations that could then be easily applied.
Wants JH's views on a 20-foot reflector. Inviting him to Cambridge. With this letter he encloses Volume 2 of the Cambridge Observatory's Observations and Lectures in Optics.
About the prices of telescope mirrors, and specifically the one of T. J. Hussey; recommends use of certain stars to test the optical quality of the mirror.
Sends volume of observations. Remarks on A. J. Fresnel's experiments. Lists errors in JH's treatise on light. Requests information on circular double refraction.
Thanks GA for the second volume of his observations; wishes the publications of the Astronomer Royal were as good; adds some comments on polarization of light by liquids, and then talks about observing Georgium Sidum [Uranus], and deals with the orbits of satellites of planets generally.
Encloses paper 'Figure of the Earth.' Wants information on rays in quartz. Has tried A. J. Fresnel's experiments.
Comments on GA's and Edward Sabine's work on the figure of the earth; describes some results JH obtained from using quartz for polarizing light, and is unhappy with the proposed recipient of the R.A.S. medal, M. C. T. Damoiseau, whose lunar theory JH cannot understand.
Opinion on M. C. T. Damoiseau's theory and tables; worth a medal.
Remarks on Greenwich observations.
An extensive discussion of the best way of presenting the results produced from the observations made at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, together with comments about the duties and responsibilities of the Astronomer Royal.
Informs JH that he has published a new edition of his tracts (to turn Cambridge mathematics to physical applications). Wants his permission to use his theory on biaxial crystals. Remarks on David Brewster's theories and experiments.
Wants 100 of JH's star forms. Wants any information on a collection of observations of Venus.
Has been making optical experiments. Hopes to see JH in the Spring. Hopes JH will be able to observe Encke's comet this year.
Will he be visiting Cambridge this Spring?
Is trying to clean up JH's nebulae observations preparatory to leaving for the Cape; comments on communications from F. G. W. Struve about double stars.
Observations on the various ways of measuring angular positions (of double stars). Opinion on JH publishing his catalogue of nebulae. Remarks on the low standard of astronomical observations in England compared with the Continent.
Is grateful for GA's encouragement to prepare JH's nebulae observations for publication before leaving for the Cape; it now seems clear to JH that he cannot leave before 1833; JH has had further communications from F. G. W. Struve about double stars [see JH's 1832-5-4].
Observations on the gravimeter.
Requests that the engravings for the catalogue of nebulae be speeded up. Further observations on the gravimeter. Observations on W. R. Hamilton's experiments on biaxial crystals using A. J. Fresnel's wave surface theory.
Requesting a copy of G. A. A. Plana and Francesco Carlini's 'Lunar Theory.' Further remarks on the practicability of the gravimeter.