Showing 1–9 of 9 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.
Has had a reply from Thomas Maclear stating that all work has ceased at the Cape Observatory until the work on calculating the Arc of the Meridian has finished. F. W. Bessel has expressed a wish that Centaure should be observed with a heliometer. Wishes a good heliometer could be sent to the Cape.
Is grateful for the specimens sent him. Has been carrying out a series of experiments on the Calotype process with extraordinary results, especially the crimson skies. What does he think of the idea of publishing a treatise on 'Light' considered as a chemical agent?
Urges JH to plead to Lord Palmerston on behalf of [H. C.] Schumacher. Suggests arguments JH might use. States that JH as 'chief of British astronomy by inheritance, by age & by service' is the ideal person to make this plea.
Shortly coming to England with daughter and Madame Gerlach. Gives family news. Mr. Muller has some observations for the Memoirs. Emile Plantamour has succeeded him at the Observatory. Met G. B. Airy and his wife on their journey to Turin. Has also conversed with J. D. Forbes.
Thanks JH for the letter to Lord Palmerston on [H. C.] Schumacher's behalf. Comments on British politics.
Pleased to hear that the magnetic observations are to be continued for a further three years. Mode of conducting observations in some foreign observatories would seem to need improvement. Has made a series of observations of magnetic inclination, which will be published in the sixth volume of Resultate.
Giving his results respecting Cassiopeia. Requesting any details of observations of Orionis since April.
Sends packet from John William Draper containing material for an issue of P.M. Asks JH's advice on publication of articles for Scientific Memoirs.
Has only just received his letter of Dec. 1841. Has introduced a Bill on Standards into the Legislative Council for S. Australia with the aid of JH's letter and report. Has been collecting Natural History specimens and would be pleased to send anything for JH. Making new geological discoveries daily.