No summary available.
No summary available.
Cites various celestial appearances as a basis for concluding that the Milky Way takes the form, not of a disk or ring, but of a series of convolutions. Urges that the nebulae form part of the Milky Way rather than being separate universes, as many had suggested. Asks JH to critique these ideas.
Elaborates on his hypothesis that all forms of nebulae are part of the Milky Way and on his 'twisted-stream theory' of the Milky Way's structure. Favors view that dark matter is relatively common in space and that it extinguishes light from distant objects. Proposes method of measuring stellar diameters.
Accepts JH's objection to his method of measuring stellar diameters. Quotes an argument he had published suggesting the existence of a hierarchy of systems in an infinite universe. Discusses his studies of the relation of proper motions to the sun's motion. Asks JH's permission to publish JH's idea that some nebulae may be 'miniature' of the Milky Way.
Asks JH's views on a system of constructing and annotating a set of celestial maps RP was preparing. Requests JH's public endorsement of those maps.
Thanks JH for suggestions concerning a star atlas RP was preparing. Informs JH of his progress in making that atlas.
Discusses his progress preparing star maps. Stresses that such maps can suggest theories of the arrangement of stars and nebulae. Mentions various papers and maps RP was then publishing
Reports finding, while preparing a star atlas, that bright stars appear to be very dense in a region associated with the Milky Way but centered on the greater Magellanic Cloud. Because of a coming lecture on stellar distribution, 'I ... am saturating myself with Herschelian astronomy.'
Reports on his studies of stellar and nebular distributions, discussing especially whether the Magellanic Clouds show a relation to the Milky Way stars. Speculates on whether recent studies on meteors bear on stellar formation and change. Stresses need for statistical studies in stellar astronomy.
Sends map from his new atlas. Reports finding a region rich in bright stars in the northern hemisphere but distinct from the Milky Way. States that in a Royal Institution lecture, he will claim that telescopes cannot reach the limits of the sidereal system and that it is far more complex than traditionally assumed.
Thanks JH for commentary on RP's Other Worlds than Ours. Responds to JH's comments, accepting most objections. Acknowledges his major debt to JH's writings.
Admits JH is correct in suggested correction of RP's statement regarding perturbations of Uranus. Suggests that JH urge astronomers to observe the solar corona carefully.
Admits his misstatement in RP's Other Worlds than Ours concerning perturbation of outer planets. Shares JH's doubts about existence of Vulcan. Speculates on the extent of meteoric material in the solar system. Comments negatively on J. Norman Lockyer's views on meteors.
Asks JH's advice on whether a method devised by RP of charting bright stars in isographic projections based on star gauges seems best. Describes the method and urges that the charts will produce useful suggestions about the distribution of stars.
Thanks JH for advice on planned chart; explains method of dealing with unguaged areas. RP has adopted a somewhat different method of charting.
Has sent JH a copy of his new book [The Sun].
Raises objections to JH's theory of the solar corona. Discusses possible existence of extensive meteoric dust in the solar system. Requests permission to dedicate a book on sidereal astronomy to JH. Asks JH whether his father in later years always used a front focus for his large telescopes and whether he saw the supposed four additional Uranian satellites with his 40-foot reflector.
Discusses JH's response to his comments on JH's theory of the solar corona. Discusses great difficulty of writing his planned book on sidereal astronomy.
Reports on recent solar eclipse photographs of the solar corona which jeopardize JH's meteoric theory of the corona's origin. Concludes the corona must be 'after all a phenomenon of eruption!!'
Suggests that meteors come sometimes from the sun, more typically from other stars.