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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.
W. R. Dawes observes sub-division of Saturn's rings. WS continues observing double stars recommended by JH.
Asks JH for description of JH's 'little sweeper' telescope; plans to give a sketch of it in WS's book.
Sends diagram of the 'little sweeper,' which is now at Hanover with 94-year-old Caroline Herschel.
Thomas Henderson discovered a comet on 2 December. Thanks JH for diagram of JH's comet-sweeping telescope.
Skeptical of reports of seeing Jupiter's satellites with the naked eye.
Sends copy of Cycle of Celestial Objects. Meets an excellent optician named [Richard?] Gwatkin, who shows him four self-made telescopes.
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.
Thanks JH for recommendation of C. P. Smyth. James South returns from Ireland; reports great observing conditions there.
C. P. Smyth receives appointment as Astronomer Royal of Scotland. Again thanks JH for recommendation.
Sends P. H. L. Boguslawski's address. Asks WS to send J. H. Mädler's chart to P[eter] Stewart.
Sends correction to data for Gamma Virginis. Asks if JH has 'considered the puzzle of Aristarchus [lunar crater]' discussed in WS's Cycle of Celestial Objects.
R.A.S. making exception in letting J. H. Mädler's chart be removed for JH. Continues observation of Gamma Virginis.
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.
Sends Gamma Virginis data. Will report Aurora Borealis observations to R.A.S.
Thanks for inspecting WS's [manuscript] and noting errors. Computations by Mr. Hinde [J. R. Hind?] from observations of Gamma Virginis by WS.
J. R. Hind determined orbit of Mu2 Boötes using JH method.
Discusses importance of Gamma Virginis: 'I consider it a grand key to several important physical points.' W. R. Dawes claims to have observed a third Uranian satellite.
Pleased with JH Gamma Virginis observations. 'Lunar affair' disappoints WS. Cycle of Celestial Objects being translated into Italian.