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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.
Wants WS to make a choice between the several skeleton forms JH has devised for recording astronomical observations. Also comments on orbit of Gamma Virginis and 30 Scorpii, as well as Encke's Comet.
Prof. Barlow's paper on 'fluid refractor' leaves WS doubting JH's report of Beta Capricorni.
Sends double star observations and periods. Asks WS if he has met W. R. Dawes. JH believes JH's eyes to be lacking in light sensitivity.
Notes that 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii have parallel proper motion; believes that James South overestimates the importance of this fact. Suggests double stars for WHS to observe.
Sends data concerning double stars and new form for making observations of them.
Pleased that JH has received knighthood. Observes Alpha1 Capricorni in attempts to see a double star. Thanks JH for double star observation outlines; asks for a 'large supply' of them.
Will observe transit [of Mercury] hoping it will provide good meridian data. Encloses sketch of telescope in Bedford.
Sends Gamma Virginis observations. Devotes time to nautical astronomy; experiments with formulae for calculating occultations. Takes interest in eclipse of Jovian satellites.
Sends observations of Gamma Virginis, which differ from those of WS and James South. Observed transit of Mercury. Has abandoned plans of going to Cape of Good Hope this year. Plans to visit Caroline Herschel in Hanover.
Returned from Hanover visit. Observed the star WS had discovered between 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii. Requests WS to observe a nebula in which JH has spotted a triple star. H. C. Schumacher is recovering from illness, while H. W. M. Olbers is very ill and not expected to recover.
Sends micrometer observations of stars suggested by JH.
Sends positions of Biela's Comet. Has much success with repolished telescope mirrors and collimator. Designs equatorial revolving roof for Cape observations; sends sketches. Compares WS's, W. R. Dawes's, and JH's observations of Gamma Virginis.
Unable to spot Biela's Comet. Outstanding observing conditions allow WS to sight normally difficult objects. Makes suggestions concerning JH's rotating roof plans.
As no one seemed to be finding Biela's Comet, JH sat up several nights looking for it and now has located it.
Sights bright patch on moon; asks JH to confirm the observation.
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.'
Intends to visit WS after attending Cambridge B.A.A.S. meeting.
Will be able to receive JH during Cambridge trip.
Meets Lord Bute at Oxford. Requests JH observe Gamma Virginis, Castor, and Polaris with WS's 10-ft. achromatic telescope.
Sends best wishes for JH's journey to Cape. Regrets missing him at Bedford during Cambridge trip.