| RefNo | MS/242/15 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel to Thomas Young, dated at Koenigsberg |
| Date | 29 July 1820 |
| Description | Sending a list of errata from [James] Bradley's Observations, notes that more errors coming from the observer or the editor will remain as Bessel only worked on a limited number of observations.
Has received two copies of the Nautical Almamac for 1822, sends in exchange the 5th part of his observations for the Royal Society and for Young's own library. Announces that in the 7th part of the observations a new epoch will begin as using his excellent 5 feet focal length Meridian made by instrument maker [Georg] Reichenbach (transit circle telescope) which works as well for Right ascensions, declination and zentih-distance, and works when the sun is rising. The instrument makes the double-star of 1st class very easy to observe, and enabled Bessel to discover a new one (3 Bootis), described as 4th class by Herschel. Intends to verify all the stars in the Catalogus Britannicus, which may lead to add more double-stars to Herschel's admirable catalogue. Mentions the likely minor corrections to the instrument's measures.
Comments on Young's paper on refraction which he finds ingenious and provides a useful method to account for perturbations in the lower parts of the atmosphere. Olbers has found an error in Young's formula. |
| Language | English |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7947 | Young; Thomas (1773 - 1829); physician, physicist and Egyptologist | 1773 - 1829 |
| NA3847 | Bessel; Friedrich Wilhelm (1784 - 1846); astronomer | 1784 - 1846 |