| RefNo | MS/957/89 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from James Ivory, 20 Southampton Street, Pentonville, to [Henry Kater] |
| Creator | Ivory; James (1765-1842); mathematician and mill manager |
| Recipient | Kater; Henry (1777-1835); British geodicist and metrologist |
| Date | 27 August 1828 |
| Description | He received two copies of papers from PT [Philosophical Transactions] some time ago which he returns. He remarks on the 'curious part' of the survey, relating to arcs perpendicular to the meridian. Kater followed the method used by the Trigonometrical Survey, which Ivory considered to be incorrect. He has now completed a formula which he thinks Kater would like to have communicated to him. Ivory sets out the calculation and discusses it, comparing it with Professor [George Biddell] Airy's. He notes the difference in longitude at Beachy Head and Dunnon [Dunoon?], citing this as proof of an error of nine inches in the azimuths. He has found three instances of longitude error in Kater's survey, which he lists, and explains the advantages of a correct solution. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| Dimensions | 252x206mm. |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7611 | Ivory; Sir; James (1765 - 1842); mathematician | 1765 - 1842 |