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Smyth, William Henry in addressee 
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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

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

Herschel4499

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[26 October 1835]
Source of text:
RS:HS 21.195
Summary:

C. P. Smyth arrived at Cape on 10 October; Thomas Maclear seems pleased with his work. Asks WS to continue observing Gamma Virginis; JH has observed it only as a single star in recent attempts. Thanks WS for distributing meteorological brochures. George Eden visits and will send meteorological observations from India.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4157

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[31 May 1836]
Source of text:
RS:HS 21.207
Summary:

Thanks WS for having accepted his medal from R.A.S. Finds that the [Thomas] Brisbane Catalogue contains insufficient right ascension information, complicating reduction observations. Observed Halley's Comet.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1491

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[17 October 1838]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.16(C: RS:HS 21.262)
Summary:

Chooses a publisher and printer for Cape Results. Decides against getting portrait painted. Makes suggestions for observations.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel1492

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[28 April 1839]
Source of text:
APS B.Sm98.17 (C: RS:HS 22.13)
Summary:

Does not have operational telescope. Suggests WS set 1840 as epoch.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4405

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[3 April 1842]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.116
Summary:

Plans to calculate Gamma Virginis orbit. Received WS paper on astronomical observations. Suggests WS look for a house in Kent after learning plans to move near London.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4498

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[26 May 1842]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.118
Summary:

Thanks WS for C. P. Smyth drawings of Cape monument and Gamma Virginis observations. Notes J. H. Mädler's work on double stars and the doubt that they obey the inverse square law. Discusses use of photography in astronomy.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4406

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[10 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.156
Summary:

Will review all Gamma Virginis observations before revising orbit. Catalogue of major nebulae complete; will work on minor nebulae next.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4275

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[16 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.157
Summary:

Sends JH's 1817 observations; cannot locate any he made in 1811. Tells WS Gamma Virginis measurements will take more time.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4254

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[29 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.160
Summary:

Reaches conclusion about Gamma Virginis. States in regard to shape of orbit, 'We are all wrong.' Believes the orbit is less than 150 years. Claims that many errors exist in British measurements made between 1829 and 1834.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4265

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[9 July 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.161
Summary:

Sends calculations of Gamma Virginis and determines its eccentricity. Believes the orbit is highly elongated, like that of a comet.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4246

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[18 July 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.163
Summary:

Devises and suggests mode of micrometric measurement of angles.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project

Herschel4490

From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[8 September 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.167
Summary:

Offers condolences to Ann Smyth. WS's calculation of Gamma Virginis orbit surprises JH. Concerned about accurate methods of calculation. Remarks on excavation of Chelsea mammoth.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
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