Asks GA's opinion as to whether Ordinance observatories should make their magnetic observations on a 3-minute or 5-minute system.
Showing 81–100 of 425 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.
Asks GA's opinion as to whether Ordinance observatories should make their magnetic observations on a 3-minute or 5-minute system.
A note to accompany some letters being returned to GA.
Is organizing a committee to revise the instructions for observers at magnetic observatories; GA is on it.
About eclipse observations of 1842, together with JH's speculations about the existence of an atmosphere around the sun. Enclosed is an eclipse drawing by Francis Baily.
Needs some clarification of GA's letter [see GA's 1842-9-16] before JH is ready to reply about the calculating engine.
Reply to GA's letter on Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Gives GA some accounting of standard weights in Britain, and feels that it would be worth acquiring Robinson estate weight [see GA's 1842-9-22].
Unwilling to come to a meeting as JH anticipates the return of some of his children from the continent; seems considerable confusion as to who is to do what about star catalogues [see GA's 1841-7-27].
Needs a good artisan to construct the framework of a solar spectrum photographic apparatus.
Intends to accept offer [see GA's 1843-1-18]; JH questions the correctness of P. S. Laplace's theory of capillary action.
Would be pleased if Francis Baily and W. H. Miller would agree to serve [see GA's 1843-3-9]; believes sufficient remuneration should be provided for these responsibilities, and comments on the desirability of a continuing standards committee.
Tells GA about a new comet becoming visible.
Concerned that the Colonial governors were not provided with copies of the Standards Commission Report; will not be able to get to Switzerland this year.
Asks GA on behalf of F. W. Bessel, for unreduced positions of a star that FB wishes to examine for annual parallax.
Apologizes for confusion about F. W. Bessel's request [see GA's 1843-6-6], but JH had neglected to check date on FB's letter.
Is expecting to be summoned to Slough, about repossessing JH's [and William Herschel's] old premises; this will affect JH's availability for a meeting [see GA's 1843-6-24].
Finds GA's measurements of Gamma Virginis far away from JH's own, and instructs GA in the best way to measure double star positions.
Has received a request from the Admiralty to order a new telescope for the Cape observatory; at the same time, JH has received an unsolicited offer of a lens. JH seeks advice and information from GA.
Regarding custody of the Standards.
Makes some suggestions about possible storage places for the United States' standards [see GA's 1843-9-9].