Is studying vesicles. JH's son [Alexander] may yet get Royal School of Mines appointment.
Showing 41–58 of 58 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.
Is studying vesicles. JH's son [Alexander] may yet get Royal School of Mines appointment.
Observations on subjecting carbonic acid to concentrated beam of an electric lamp. Records experimental result so far. Interested in ordinary dust particles under electric light.
Continues experiments with carbonic acid and electric light [see JT's 1868-11-30], hoping to 'explode' idea that atmosphere's polarization is due to reflection by air particles.
Thinks JT's work on polarization will lead to remarkable discovery. Discusses production of rainbow, parallels to Isaac Newton's explanation of black spot on a soap bubble, and problems in JT's undulatory theory explanation of reflection. In JT's experiments, what are nebulous particles produced by light in gas or vapor?
Continues experiments with carbonic acid and electric light [see JT's 1868-11-30], suggesting possible cause of blue cloud color and eventual whitening of light.
Asks JH to review paper on blue color of sky, polarization of skylight, and polarization of light by cloudy matter.
JT's paper on polarization of sky light suggests that neutral points are functions of cloud density. This verifies JH's earlier explanation of blue sky color. Incomplete polarization. Cause of blue color in water. Corrects note on W. A. Miller's observations of rainbows.
Thanks for paper verifying JH's prediction that explanation of blue sky color carries with it that of polarization of skylight. Involves ultimate link between chemical and analytical dynamics. Notes that 'neutral points' in sky polarization have yet to be explained; offers tentative explanation based on clues in JT's work.
Thanks for paper on comets. Offers questions, problems to be resolved, particularly on termination of comet.
Thanks for JH's suggestions on JT's outline of comet speculations. [G. B.] Airy, too, has replied. Includes more speculations on 'envelopes' and nucleus of comet.
Suggests experiments with regard to polarization and vaporization, and comets' tails.
In response to JH's comments on JT's explanation of comets says faintness of head and nucleus does not indicate non-existence; eye may not see all. Experiments with polarized light produce 'gorgeous' 'residual blue.'
Encloses reference to one of JH's letters to JT that has already been printed.
Is delighted with JH's exposition of colors of thin plates and of measurements of a wave of light in Familiar Lectures. Asks permission to quote from it.
Thanks for work on diamagnetism and magne-crystallic action [Researches on Diamagnetism (1870)], which JH is excited to read. Mentions long-abandoned plans for magnetization experiments. Envies those who can see JT's 'magic' experiments at Royal Institution.
Gratified by JH's 'sympathy and approbation,' and that JH's writing and spirit remain 'firm' and 'fresh.'
Thanks for paper on action of rays 'of high refrangibility' on gases and vapors. Attempts to understand reflection of wave motion on particles with diameters 'incomparably smaller' than length of wave.
Thanks for suggestion-filled letter. Remarks on blue color of water.