Repeats yesterday's protests against W. S. Stratford's refusal to send revised proofs to RS. Hopes G. B. Airy will not blame JH for delay.
Showing 21–39 of 39 items
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.
Repeats yesterday's protests against W. S. Stratford's refusal to send revised proofs to RS. Hopes G. B. Airy will not blame JH for delay.
Answers questions raised by RS concerning the preface JH was writing for N. L. Lacaille's Catalogue of 9766 Stars. Objects to JH being seen as responsible for the contents of the book itself, even though he served on the first two B.A.A.S. committees dealing with the reduction of Lacaille's stars.
Asks RS to check the background of Samuel B. Lamb, who wants to lease JH's house at Slough.
Responds to JH's request [1847-6-28] that RS inquire about Samuel B. Lamb. Has visited [W. R.] Dawes and his telescope; thinks he will be productive. Lefevre [George Shaw-Lefevre?] has started for the university, adding 'what chance he has of success I can't guess.' On JH's contacts with Cambridge University.
Invites RS to dinner in Collingwood on 10 [July], as F. G. W. Struve will be there. U. J. J. Leverrier may also come, but G. B. Airy and John Lubbock cannot attend.
Suggests RS visit Hawkhurst ca. 12 July as U. J. J. Leverrier, F. G. W. Struve, and J. C. Adams will be visiting. Suggests RS come with [W. R.] Dawes. JH's book [Cape Results] is nearly ready for private distribution. Asks RS that JH be allowed to tell parties, to whom a copy of the engraving of JH's portrait will be given, that it is a gift from RS, lest JH be considered immodest for giving his own 'effigy.'
People do not consider JH vain. If JH wants to give his [portrait of JH; see JH's 1847-7-1] to people, this would not be considered vanity on his part. Gives impressions of U. J. J. Leverrier after meeting him at the Royal Observatory.
Congratulations for Cape Results. Excellent memorial to William Herschel. [Engravings of JH's] portrait were distributed to famous astronomers in northern Europe. Fragile nature precludes shipping it to Italy, India, and America. Believes J. R. Hind and George Bishop have right to discovery of new planet [Iris].
Gives information from W. R. Hamilton on the location of the asteroid Iris. Proposes R.A.S. begin collecting observations of sunspots, the goal being a complete series of 'the sun's aspect for every day of every year.' Offers the observations of H. Griesbach for 1846 as a 'nest egg' as well as some of his own. Requests address of G. Schwinck, who prepared a star atlas. Reports on F. G. W. Struve's Neptune observations.
Hopes JH will attend the November R.A.S. meeting to stress the importance of recording solar observations [drawings of sunspots]. On J. R. Hind's work. Says Hind is not strong enough for the work he gets through. Cannot find G. Schwinck's address; suggests contacting H. C. Schumacher.
Suggests alteration in list of observatories that JH sent to W. S. Stratford. Advises JH to include private astronomers on list also. News of [Elizabeth] Baily. Needs to borrow Francis Baily's apparatus for measuring length.
Has received a letter from [W. C.] Bond stating that Maria Mitchell observed the comet on 1 Oct., several days before it was seen by [Francesco] DeVico (3 Oct.) and by W. R. Dawes (7 Oct.). Proposes calling it 'Miss M. Mitchell's comet' and asks if JH has any objections. Knows DeVico will 'growl.'
The comet should bear Maria Mitchell's name. If [Francesco] DeVico 'grumbles,' RS could note that Madame Rümker also discovered the comet on [Oct] 3rd. 'What was there in it to attract the eyes of the female part of the creation so especially?'
Maria Mitchell 'shall have her due honor,' despite [Francesco] DeVico. Discusses problems with the R.A.S. awarding medals and honors, the loss to the R.A.S. of Francis Baily, and the issue of proposing foreign associates. Proposes a list of such to JH. Objects to DeVico, but is the head of a publishing observatory and has found comets. Urges caution in appointing Americans. On publishing R.A.S.M.N.
Likes RS's R.A.S. associate list. Must give the Americans a year or two more before it can be adequately ascertained who their top astronomers are. Sends a letter JH received from John Lubbock, who wants the opportunity in January to present new methods in perturbation theory. Responds to RS on the means of the R.A.S. recognizing significant contributions to astronomy.
John Lubbock entitled to bring his proposal before R.A.S., and to the best advice they can give, but the idea of explaining new views on physical astronomy strikes RS as 'objectionable' in principle. No one will understand his presentation. How to proceed with this. RS's work on the standard yard.
John Lubbock wishes only to explain his system, so there is no reason why the R.A.S. should not listen to him. Certain conditions must be met. Troubles with the R.A.S.M.N.
Informs JH that RS will present a case for more than one medal to be awarded.
Adds list of names for consideration as foreign associates [of the R.A.S.], including Americans. Changes in John Lubbock's requirements for his project.