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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.
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.
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.
Will review all Gamma Virginis observations before revising orbit. Catalogue of major nebulae complete; will work on minor nebulae next.
Sends JH's 1817 observations; cannot locate any he made in 1811. Tells WS Gamma Virginis measurements will take more time.
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.
Sends calculations of Gamma Virginis and determines its eccentricity. Believes the orbit is highly elongated, like that of a comet.
Devises and suggests mode of micrometric measurement of angles.
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.
Sends diagram of the 'little sweeper,' which is now at Hanover with 94-year-old Caroline Herschel.
Skeptical of reports of seeing Jupiter's satellites with the naked eye.
Compliments WS on his Cycle of Celestial Objects. Inquires who instigated the move for reform of the Nautical Almanac.
Thanks WS on behalf of JH's brother-in-law [Peter Stewart?] for acting on [Peter Stewart's?] behalf to make him a member [?]. Comments on some comet sightings.
Has written recommendation supporting C. P. Smyth for position of Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Suggests that C. P. Smyth, after returning to Britain, seek a teacher to help overcome his stutter. Encloses letter from P. H. L. Boguslawski for WS to present to R.A.S.
Sends P. H. L. Boguslawski's address. Asks WS to send J. H. Mädler's chart to P[eter] Stewart.
Doubtful over WS's angle for Gamma Virginis; urges precision in measurement. Hopes to obtain moon map from R.A.S. during next visit to London. Unable to solve Aristarchus puzzle.
Will give lecture on moon in which he will discuss its composition, the craters Kepler and Gassendi, plus generalities.
Cannot attend R.A.S. meeting to explain Mme. Witte's lunar model; will send notes of explanation. Busy with the publication of Cape Results. Will write paper on improved method of calculating double star orbits. Discusses relationships of periods of Saturnian satellites.
Discusses the purchase price of Mme. Witte's lunar model.
Suggests trustees of British Museum make an offer for Mme. Witte's lunar model. Cape Results at press. Observed double comet.
Believes Beta Ursae Minoris to be a slow variable star. Remarks on diminution of the star's brightness between 1840 and 1841.