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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.
Forwards letter concerning 'solar bright particles' by W. R. Dawes. Inquires if diagonal solar eyepiece used in JH's solar spectrum observations.
Compares W. L. Newman's and CP's calculations of optical coefficients to those in JH's work. Sends JH formulae and tables for calculating telescopic lens thickness and shape in relation to the dimensions of the telescope. Wishes JH luck on Iliad.
Compares JH's equation for lens curvature with that of C. F. Gauss.
Praises JH's Iliad. Asks R.S.L. for funds to cover expenses incurred by spherical observations. Details information to be included in optical tables.
Requests JH's reflections on the deceased Wilhelm Struve. Discusses making of telescope object glass. Continues work on the optical tables.
R.S.L. approves of CP's optical work, believing it will be helpful at observatories abroad. CP comments on Alexander Herschel's prism experiments.
Asks if JH anticipated the results of W. L. Newman's work on lens curvature.
Informs JH, Charles Babbage, and James South that they are the surviving original members of the R.A S. Requests JH write an account of the R.A.S.'s founding. Discusses the evidence of the 'personal will' of God in creation.
R.A.S. wants JH to direct the preparation of William Herschel's catalogue of double stars for publication. CP suggests Alexander Herschel prepare the catalogue with JH's supervision. G. B. Airy observes the 'willow leaves.'
Compares observations of meteor shower in Orion with JH. Describes methods and observations in detail.
Asks if JH still considering editing William Herschel's R.S.P.T. publications. Suggests that Alexander Herschel edit the work. Speculates that William Herschel observed the 'willow leaves.' JH's star catalogue will be printed by the R.A.S.
Informal request for JH to write biography of W. R. Dawes for R.A.S. Recent marriages in CP's family.
Has discovered William Herschel's memoirs in R.A.S. library; arranged and read them. Asks JH whether any copies exist so the originals can be checked for completion before binding. Questions JH on William Herschel's opinion of the nature of nebulae and boundaries of the galaxy.
Suggests remedy for bronchitis problem in JH family. Young John Herschel's work on nebulae pleases CP. Comments on William Huggins's work on solar spectra.
Tests several possible rules for curving lenses including W. L. Newman's and [Thomas] Cooke's. Tries to put W. L. Newman's rules for lens thickness-to-curvature ratios in a simpler equation.