| RefNo | HSF/2/1/86 |
| Previous numbers | 32.8.74 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from J [John] Herschel, to 'Dear Pater' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel] |
| Creator | Herschel; John (1837-1921); British army officer and astronomer |
| Date | 26 October [1868] |
| Description | In return for his father's sunspot sketch, he sends a sketch from [James Francis] Tennant's photographs of the main prominence [HS/2/1/71]. The spiral structure is shown clearly in the photographs, and he quotes Tennant's comments. Tennant's clockwork was not in perfect adjustment; John thinks it difficult to believe that the actual flame altered appreciably during two or three seconds. As yet, they have no hint of what M [Pierre] Janssen saw. Mr [Norman Robert] Pogson has not committeed to any statement yet. The Royal Society Proceedings have arrived and John is not proud of their appearence. He has set up the telescope again and will search when practicable, but he cannot consider it part of his duties. The Moon is troublesome, but he can almost swear to the continuous spectrum of the Orion Nebula. He is still at baseline reductions and the bearings are so numerous it would take years to consider them all. Colonel [James Thomas] Walker follows Captain [Alexander Ross] Clarke in determining the factor from the actual comparison of standard with compensated bars, and John's protests have not been heeded; Walker believes he is wrong. He is perplexed at how to act when there is a difference of opinion; he tries to avoid conflict, but Walker invites discussion before dismissing it. He notes the weather and says he knows no-one in England to send the nebula papers to, but perhaps Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel] would distribute some.
With a brief postscript by Margaret Cornwallis Herschel. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7955 | Herschel; John (1837 - 1921) | 1837 - 1921 |