| RefNo | HS/19/204 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Minutes of the Balloon Committee of the British Association, by William Henry Sykes |
| Date | 1 February 1862 |
| Description | Handwritten minutes of proceedings for the Balloon Committee of the British Association, signed by Sykes.
noting the presence of Colonel [William Henry] Sykes, Dr [John] Lee, James Glaisher.
Letter from Astronomer Royal [George Biddell Airy] read and entered in minutes.
Letter from Sir John Frederick William Herschel dated 26 January 1862 read and entered in minutes.
Letter from James Glaisher from 31 January 1862 read and entered in minutes.
Resolution that recommendations in the letters be adopted i.e.: barometric pressure, temperature, hygrometric state at successive equal intervals be measured as primary goal of the balloon ascents. Secondary goals: electrical state of the air with undetermined instrument; oxygenic condition measured by ozone paper, solar radiation measured with blackened bulb thermometer; use of polariscope; collection of the air using exhausted tuves; prismatic colours observed using prism; aneroid and chronometer used.
Resolution that the ascents should commence in the middle of March from a central locality in England such as Wolverhampton or Birmingham.
Resolution considering the balloon offered by Mr E.J. Smith as reasonable. |
| Language | English |
| Extent | 2 pp. |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8238 | Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); mathematician and astronomer | 1792 - 1871 |
| NA5872 | Sykes; William Henry (1790 - 1872) | 1790 - 1872 |
| NA8224 | Glaisher; James (1809 - 1903) | 1809 - 1903 |
| NA8035 | Airy; Sir; George Biddell (1801 - 1892); astronomer and mathematician | 1801 - 1892 |