WS was elected associate of Astronomical Society. Distributed books as WS directed. Will send JH's and James South's observations of double stars when printed. Neither Thomas Young nor William Herschel received WS's Dorpat observations.
WS was elected associate of Astronomical Society. Distributed books as WS directed. Will send JH's and James South's observations of double stars when printed. Neither Thomas Young nor William Herschel received WS's Dorpat observations.
Asks WS for account of the performance of his new [Josef] Fraunhofer telescope. Corroborates WS's double star motion data, except for 70 Ophiuchi, where JH and [James] South find no motion. Asks for observational targets and urges care in WS's observational technique. Mentions WS's intention to undertake celestial zone with [F. W.] Bessel. Describes [Henry] Kater's 'floating collimator.'
Acknowledges receipt of WS's second volume of observations and the new telescope's results. Mentions Caroline Herschel's catalogue of nebulae.
Informs WS that the Astronomical Society has voted WS a gold medal for WS's observations of double stars. Says he is now observing nebulae. Confirms receipt of WS's fourth volume of observations sent by [E. C. F.?] Knorre. Asks WS to verify [Henry] Kater's observations on black zones in Saturn's outer ring.
Sent medal to WS. Tells WS it was awarded to WS and [James] South. Speaks of [Francis] Baily's medal presentation speech. Lists books sent to WS.
May not be able to separate double stars with the twenty foot reflector. Is reviewing nebulae. Regrets [Josef] Fraunhofer did not live to see WS's work. Speaks of standard catalogue of 2881 stars as joint labor of all observatories. Interested in bright stars with minute companions.
Communicates to WS the award of the Royal Gold Medal for his 'magnificent work on the New Catalogue of 3112 Double Stars.' Informs WS that award is for research completed within 5 years of presentation.
Has more leisure after resigning as Secretary to the Royal Society. Is sending his and [James] South's magnitude scales and positions of observation for WS to compare. Lists common double stars and offers means of comparison. Remarks on 'new star,' the fifth star in the trapezoid of Orion.
Sends WS JH's 'Light' published in the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana. Mentions recalibration of his magnitude measurements of small stars near other small ones. Comments on results in WS's paper concerning Saturn's ring. Confirms sighting of 'well defined, equable, planetary disk.'
Lists contents of a letter sent on 1828-7-6. JH's Light and third catalogue of double stars sent. Details of nebulae included.
Glad WS is coming to England but cautions that London empties in June. Congratulates WS on measurement of a 'great Northern arc.' Complains about the division of the Royal Society into 'parties'. Adds [James] South's results showing a sixth star, nearer than WS's fifth, in trapezium of Orion.
Discusses a variety of observations related to double stars, and asks FS to make some specific observations to compare with JH's work. Reveals JH's dream of going to the Southern Hemisphere for a number of years, but asks FS to keep it quiet, as 'many ties' stand in the way.
Is now committed to the Cape journey, and will be occupied most of the time till then with the reduction of JH's nebulae observations. Comments on several other astronomical matters. [Letter is finished on board a steam packet on the way to Hamburg to visit JH's aunt, Caroline, dated 1832-6-9.]
Compares in detail observations of several double stars made by several astronomers, and comments on differences; JH also describes a sighting of Biela's comet.
The observational data from FS regarding Gamma Virginis are so significant that JH begs FS to continue to observe and send JH the results. Comments on a number of other astronomical observational matters.
Informs JH that WS has sent fifth catalogue of double stars by [H. C.] Schumacher. Provides African address. Departure by 20 October on 'Mt. Stewart Elphinston—a superb India ship.' Notifies of [Thomas] Maclear's succeeding [Thomas] Henderson at Cape observatory.
Confirms receipt of WS's last letter from Hamburg. Advises of his departure to Cape. Requests 'measure of 3000 double stars.' Directs WS's attention to 'remarkable stars' and urges WS to procure JH's Astronomy. Asks WS to solicit [F. W.] Bessel's correspondence for JH. Adds [W. H.] Smyth's address.
Describes enthusiastically the journey to the Cape, the beauties of the country, and the joys of astronomical observing there.
Pleased with the observations and astronomical literature JH received from FS; JH is packing up for the return to England; comments on causes of variations in stellar magnitude and several other astronomical topics.
Apologizes for not having written, but has been 'harassed with desultory and importunate calls on [his] name.' Commends WS on accomplishments at Pulkowa and performance of Repsold instruments. Congratulates WS on his son Otto Struve. Received WS's figures on Halley's Comet. Comments on bright stars of variable nature. Estimates 35 or 36 magnetic observatories in the world.