Search: Herschel, John in correspondent 
Smyth, William Henry in correspondent 
letter in document-type 
1840-1849 in date 
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From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[30 October 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.267
Summary:

Disappointed with format of Nautical Almanac. Arguments over this have caused many hard feeling among R.S.L. members. Details the controversy.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[3 April 1842]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.116
Summary:

Plans to calculate Gamma Virginis orbit. Received WS paper on astronomical observations. Suggests WS look for a house in Kent after learning plans to move near London.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[26 May 1842]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.118
Summary:

Thanks WS for C. P. Smyth drawings of Cape monument and Gamma Virginis observations. Notes J. H. Mädler's work on double stars and the doubt that they obey the inverse square law. Discusses use of photography in astronomy.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 February 1843]
Source of text:
TxU:H/M-0491; Reel 1093
Summary:

Extract from observations of 70 Ophiuchi by F. W. Bessel. Results agree with WS's measurements by different method and increase WS's confidence. Hopes for more information on Gamma Virginis before finalizing WS's manuscript.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[9 May 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.268
Summary:

Sends comet observations from W. S. Jacob. Obtains 'another excellent epoch of Gamma Virginis.'

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 May 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.269
Summary:

Francis Beaufort to publish comet information; also wants JH's opinion as to what data should be sent to Cape Observatory. James South will lecture at Royal Institution. South's requests for several historical astronomical instruments refused.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[6 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.270
Summary:

Requests copy of JH's observations made in 1811. Asks latest opinion of JH on Gamma Virginis before the publication of his Cycle of Celestial Objects for the Use of Naval, Military, and Private Astronomers.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[10 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.156
Summary:

Will review all Gamma Virginis observations before revising orbit. Catalogue of major nebulae complete; will work on minor nebulae next.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[16 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.157
Summary:

Sends JH's 1817 observations; cannot locate any he made in 1811. Tells WS Gamma Virginis measurements will take more time.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[23 June 1843]
Source of text:
TxU:H/M-0492; Reel 1093
Summary:

JH's theory of orbits of Castor and Gamma Virginis. Observations of Gamma Virginis by W. R. Dawes and by WS.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[29 June 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.160
Summary:

Reaches conclusion about Gamma Virginis. States in regard to shape of orbit, 'We are all wrong.' Believes the orbit is less than 150 years. Claims that many errors exist in British measurements made between 1829 and 1834.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 July 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.271
Summary:

Agrees with JH opinions of Gamma Virginis orbit. Sends JH a drawing by C. P. Smyth of Halley's Comet.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[9 July 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.161
Summary:

Sends calculations of Gamma Virginis and determines its eccentricity. Believes the orbit is highly elongated, like that of a comet.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[11 July 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.272
Summary:

Pleased with JH's Gamma Virginis results. Mr. Visconti made head of Military Geographical Institute at Naples.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[18 July 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.163
Summary:

Devises and suggests mode of micrometric measurement of angles.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[31 July 1843]
Source of text:
TxU:H/M-0493; Reel 1093
Summary:

Problems with computation of Gamma Virginis.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[8 September 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.167
Summary:

Offers condolences to Ann Smyth. WS's calculation of Gamma Virginis orbit surprises JH. Concerned about accurate methods of calculation. Remarks on excavation of Chelsea mammoth.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[23 September 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.273
Summary:

W. R. Dawes observes sub-division of Saturn's rings. WS continues observing double stars recommended by JH.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
William Henry Smyth
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[20 November 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.274
Summary:

Asks JH for description of JH's 'little sweeper' telescope; plans to give a sketch of it in WS's book.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
William Henry Smyth
Date:
[21 November 1843]
Source of text:
RS:HS 22.170
Summary:

Sends diagram of the 'little sweeper,' which is now at Hanover with 94-year-old Caroline Herschel.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project