| RefNo | HS/19/1 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Summaries of letters between Sir John Frederick William Herschel and Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel |
| Date | 1821-1822 |
| Description | Abstracts and summaries of four letters between Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel and Sir John Frederick William Herschel, made by the latter, likely as a calendar of exchanges related to the Royal Astronomical Society.
The notes are headed 'Bessel' on the first folio.
Letter 1: "shortly after the establishment of the astronomical society, I transmitted to M. Bessel, though Mr Planta, a copy of the Rules accompanied with a letter dated May 9. 1820.
offering should he wish it, to propose him for an associate"
Letter 2: "On July 17 1821, I received by Mr Lee a letter from Mr Bessel dated July 29 1820 & accompanied with a copy of his observations. In his letter: 1. he acquiesces in my proposal to offer himself for association with the A.S. 2nd. he expresses a with that the A.S. would publish Bradley's observations..." explaining the delay in receiving the letter by the fact the Young had dealt with some of the content first and letter had been sent back to Hamburg.
Letter 3: November 17 1821, Slough. Letter in response to the preceding, from Sir John Frederick William Herschel to Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel - copy in HS/20/128. Herschel is willing to publish James Bradley's observations of Halley's Comet but questions accuracy of Nathaniel Bliss's. Sends John Brinkley's analysis [of April 1821 comet observed by Basil Hall in southern hemisphere]. Please describe Georg Reichenbach's new [transit] circle at Königsburg. Note in red ink from a different hand [likely Colonel John Herschel]: "Original copied".
Letter 4: Mentions a letter from the Secretary of the RAS announcing the election of Bessel as associate. |
| Extent | 2 ff. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| Dimensions | 33.5cm x 20 cm |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| RelatedRecord | HS/20/128 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8238 | Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); astronomer | 1792 - 1871 |
| NA3847 | Bessel; Friedrich Wilhelm (1784 - 1846); astronomer | 1784 - 1846 |