Showing 21–40 of 289 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.
Another copy of the Report of the Standards Commission is being circulated [see GA's 1841-12-25] and needs JH's signature; J. E. Drinkwater is sending in a personal report complaining about the Commission's conservatism.
JH's return of order offered him was painful. Will report in Astronomische Nachrichten that JH denies meteorological theory attributed to him and that the 'Wiener Wirtschaftskalender für 1840' is based on JH's authority.
Sending two papers, one for the Physical Committee.
Has passed on GA's note to Edward Sabine; cannot write more because his hand shakes too much, having just made a snow-man for the children.
Comments by words and a drawing on WW's statement that WW was trying to 'puff himself out' to fill his new office and house. Also discusses moral philosophy and the theory of causation.
Asks JH to thank King Christian VIII of Denmark for the order, even though JH cannot accept it. Sends a mathematical puzzle.
Is grateful for JH's letter and commendation regarding application for a government pension; will endeavor to carry out his recommendations.
Is insistent that JH cannot perform the functions of Foreign Secretary [of the R.A.S.] as he has too much to do already, and has had to give up much of his personal scientific correspondence.
Will give JH's report on Kew Observatory to Charles Wheatstone. Sends JH actinometer reports. Questions methods of observation and quality of observers. Discusses government support of scientific research.
Encloses JB's letter [21 Dec. 1841] to Chancellor of Exchequer [H. Goulburn] advocating adoption of metric system. Hopes [members of Standards Commission] will not consider JB obstinate. Admits that JH's opposition to system has advantage of authority and conservatism.
Sorry that JH can only send 'very poor' photographic process specimens.
Transmits message from [A. T.] Kupffer about setting up an observatory at Hammerfest and details about various apparati. Notes proposal for observatory in northern Siberia. Has ordered 250 copies of the Physical Committee Report.
Grateful for being made Knight Commander of the Illustrious Order of Dannebrog, but British rules forbid JH accepting foreign title.
Sends a letter from Humphrey Lloyd for GA's comments.
Provides extensive comments, about GA's magnetic instruments and observations, in reply to Humphrey Lloyd's letter [see JH's 1842-1-17].
Thanks GA for his comments [see GA's 1842-1-18]; hopes that GA would be willing to have such statements, and other similar statements, made public.
Discusses at length and rejects JH's recommendation that communication in scientific projects take place solely by letter and theorization solely by individuals. Mentions subsequent variation in intervals between magnetic observations and disputes between G. B. Airy and Humphrey Lloyd, as well as other difficulties.
Requesting any information on J. J. Littrow for his obituary notice.
Congratulates TM on work at Zwartland. Fears Cape Results will not be ready within the year.
Regrets that he knows nothing about J. J. Littrow. A new astronomical instrument. Weather has been most unsuitable for observations.