Showing results: 1-37 of 37
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1819-6-13
Slough
To John William Whittaker
Requests arrangements for JH's visit before and for Cambridge commencement. Asks whether JW would like to renew correspondence with James Grahame, and congratulates on JW's theological book.
Letter ID: 3326 | Summarized by: SEP | Physical Document: ALS 2pp | Repository: St. John's College, Cambridge | Best-guess date: 1819-06-13
[1820 or 1826]-5-25
Buckingham St.
From William Hyde Wollaston
John Pond's last communication to Committee is in press. Save its second printing.
Letter ID: 8012 | Summarized by: JJK | Physical Document: ALS 1p | Repository: RS:HS 18.280 | Best-guess date: 1820-05-25
1821-10-29
Slough
To John Pond
Provides a detailed critique of a mathematical paper by [J. M. H.] Wronski, which JP presented on Wronski's behalf to the R.S.L. Suggests that JP urge Wronski to withdraw the paper.
Letter ID: 1997 | Summarized by: KAA | Physical Document: ALS 4pp | Repository: RS:HS 14.30 (C: RS:HS 20.126) | Best-guess date: 1821-10-29
1821-11-1
Slough
To John Pond
Discussion and criticism of paper by a [J. M. H.] Wronski on methods in theory of equilibrium of fluids.
Letter ID: 3160 | Summarized by: SEP | Physical Document: ALS 4pp | Repository: RS MM.6.74 | Best-guess date: 1821-11-01
1821-12-11
n.p.
To Joseph Johann Littrow
JL was elected associate of Astronomical Society. Received JL's books and papers. Will send Society's Transactions. John Pond gave permission to test Robert Molyneux's clock at Royal Observatory. Questions F. G. W. Struve's transit determinations of double stars. Pond discovered errors in Greenwich transit instrument and places little dependence on its observations since late 1819. Sends John Brinkley's analysis [of April 1821 comet observed by Basil Hall in southern hemisphere]. Asks about Halley's Comet and parallax. Wants information on object glasses of 6-inch diameter or greater. Requests copy of JL's annual published observations.
Letter ID: 8195 | Summarized by: JJK | Physical Document: AAbs 2pp | Repository: RS:HS 19.8 | Best-guess date: 1821-12-11
1822-1-2
Vienna
From Joseph Johann Littrow
Sends books and observations for various observatories. Comments on recent astronomical work. Points out some discrepancies in John Pond's works. Praises the telescopes of Josef Fraunhofer.
Letter ID: 11329 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 15pp (German with English trans.) | Repository: RS:HS 11.235-6 | Best-guess date: 1822-01-02
1822-6-20
Royal Observatory
From John Pond
Thanks JH for extract from a letter from [J. J.] Littrow. Discusses in detail positional determinations of various stars he has made, attempting to determine whether errors of either observations or computation have entered into his results. Reports that in general there is substantial agreement between determinations made by JP and those made by John Brinkley at Ireland's Royal Observatory. Mentions solar observations at Greenwich.
Letter ID: 1999 | Summarized by: KAA | Physical Document: ALS 7pp | Repository: RS:HS 14.32 | Best-guess date: 1822-06-20
[1822-6-20 or earlie
n.p.
From John Pond
Thanks for sending your catalogues. Requests duplicates. Has made annotations indicating the 'quantity which Mr. [F. W.] Bessel's Instrument places the stars to the south of my determinations.' Cannot yet explain discrepancy. Unable to determine a parallactic shift for Alpha Lyrae, Alpha Aquila, or Gamma Draconis.
Letter ID: 1998 | Summarized by: KAA | Physical Document: ALS 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 14.31 | Best-guess date: 1822-06-20
1822-12-20
9 Downing St.
To Heinrich Christian Schumacher
Requests that HS look for a shipment of a clock and send it on to J. J. Littrow, and inform the maker in London, Robert Molyneux, that HS has done this. JH sends along John Pond's catalogue of star position differences.
Letter ID: 1929 | Summarized by: DRD | Physical Document: ALS 3pp† | Repository: DMC.695A.885.1117 | Best-guess date: 1822-12-20
1823
n.p.
To Astronomische Nachrichten
Gives a formula related to a table published in the Nautical Almanac, which table listed various stellar observations made by John Pond.
Letter ID: 8861 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: L | Repository: Astronomische Nachrichten, 1 (1823), 30-31 | Best-guess date: 1823-01-01
1823-1-3
Vienna
From Joseph Johann Littrow
Has requested the government to forward payment for the clock. Regarding variations in the observations of F. W. Bessel, John Pond, etc. Has high opinion of Bessel's work. Has been sending books for Thomas Catton, but he never replies. How is Greenwich Observatory heated? Some observatories have troubles with dampness. Recommends book by K. W. Feuerbach.
Letter ID: 11332 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 13pp (German with English trans.) | Repository: RS:HS 11.240 | Best-guess date: 1823-01-03
1823-12-19
Blackman St., Southwark
From James South
Writing in confidence, informs JH of a conversation with Humphry Davy concerning the appointment of assistants for John Pond, Astronomer Royal. Situation complicated by Pond's precarious health and the widespread belief that JH would be the appropriate successor to Pond.
Letter ID: 8442 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: ALS 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 16.424 | Best-guess date: 1823-12-19
1823-12-21
n.p.
To James South
Responding to JS's letter of 1823-12-19, advises caution in countervening John Pond's preferences in the appointment of Royal Observatory assistants. Were the post of Astronomer Royal to become vacant, JH would be 'anything but disinclined to offer myself for it,' but will not make a 'premature declaration' of his willingness to accept it.
Letter ID: 8443 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: Adraft 8pp | Repository: RS:HS 16.425 (C: 20.171) | Best-guess date: 1823-12-21
1824-2-15
Charlotte St.
To James South
Urges that JS not get so emotionally involved in issues concerning astronomers. 'For my own part I mean to make Science my amusement, not my business....' Comments on JS's relations with John Pond.
Letter ID: 8446 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: ACCS 2pp | Repository: RS:HS 16.426b (C: RS:HS 20.177) | Best-guess date: 1824-02-15
1824-9-11
Seeburg
From Johann Franz Encke
Thanks for his election to the Astronomical Society and for the award of its gold medal. Sends a proof of a new chart of the moon by W. G. Lohrmann. Sends two papers of his own. Hopes to send notice of John Pond's comet orbit in 1825.
Letter ID: 9328 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 4pp (German) | Repository: RS:HS 7.82 | Best-guess date: 1824-09-11
1825-7-23
Hastings
To John Pond
Introduces [C. T.] Largeteau from France, who wishes to receive from JP the observations made at Greenwich as part of the determination of the difference in longitude between the Greenwich and Paris observatories. Recounts some difficulties encountered in making the measurements.
Letter ID: 2001 | Summarized by: KAA | Physical Document: ACCS 4pp | Repository: RS:HS 14.34 (C: RS:HS 20.217) | Best-guess date: 1825-07-23
1825-8-1
London
To John Herapath
Knows nothing of the enmity of Humphry Davy towards [John] Herapath. The purpose of JH's last letter was to point out that Herapath was in error in his solution of certain equations. Must consider correspondence closed.
Letter ID: 10829 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: C 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 10.181 & 20.220 | Best-guess date: 1825-08-01
1825-12-11
n.p.
From Thomas Young
Suggests change in JH's table of refractions. Possible error in John Pond's reductions [illustration].
Letter ID: 8071 | Summarized by: JJK | Physical Document: ALS 1p | Repository: RS:HS 18.337 | Best-guess date: 1825-12-11
[1826 to 1829]
Park Square
From Thomas Young
Errors in equinoctial time calculated by John Pond. Suggests limiting decimal places in value of equinoctial time to reflect this uncertainty. Making error uniform will make it awkward to alter future almanacs.
Letter ID: 8088 | Summarized by: JJK | Physical Document: ALS 2pp † | Repository: RS:HS 18.354 | Best-guess date: 1826-01-01
[1827?]
n.p.
From John Pond
Asks that list of errata be published before a committee meets to investigate 'the subject of Mr. Lee's [?] animadversions.'
Letter ID: 2000 | Summarized by: KAA | Physical Document: ALS 1p | Repository: RS:HS 14.33 | Best-guess date: 1827-01-01
1827-5-3
n.p.
To George Biddell Airy
Comments on GA's response to an offer from Dublin [see JH's 1827-4-7]; also about the discussion in the Council of the R.S.L. of a report of experiments from William Whewell and GA; JH makes some disparaging remarks about the work of John Pond.
Letter ID: 600 | Summarized by: DRD | Physical Document: AL 4pp inc | Repository: RGO 6.803.21 | Best-guess date: 1827-05-03
1827-8-26
Royal Observatory
From John Pond
Lacks information on Augustin Fresnel. Praises JH's drawing as rendering unnecessary annexing one to his paper. Has not yet unpacked the new telescope sent by John Ramage.
Letter ID: 2002 | Summarized by: KAA | Physical Document: ALS 1p | Repository: RS:HS 14.35 | Best-guess date: 1827-08-26
[1827-11]
9 Downing St.
To Unidentified
Offers the correspondent's friend the information that JH has received a letter indicating that John Henslow is a formidable candidate for the professorship of botany.
Letter ID: 8553 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: ALS 2pp | Repository: BostonPubLib Ms.Eng. 476 | Best-guess date: 1827-11-01
1828-9-18
Observatory, Kensington
From James South
Thanks JH for information on JH's detection of Encke's Comet. JS's contacts with various astronomers, including Peter Barlow, John Pond, and François Arago.
Letter ID: 8479 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: ALS 4pp | Repository: RS:HS 16.459 | Best-guess date: 1828-09-18
1830-10-6
Slough
To Thomas John Hussey
[Responding to TH's 1830-9-10], JH notes that John Murray declined to publish an edition of William Herschel's papers. Believes if republished his father's writings should be corrected and annotated, which JH could not at present undertake.
Letter ID: 9019 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: ALS 2pp | Repository: Univ.Coll.London MS Graves 23(1) (ACCS: RS:HS 25.1.7) | Best-guess date: 1830-10-06
1831-3-2
n.p.
From William Samuel Stratford
Asks JH to join Sir James South in recommending that WS succeed John Pond as superintendent of the Nautical Almanac. [Marked 'Confidential'.]
Letter ID: 3615 | Summarized by: SEP | Physical Document: ALS 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 17.84 | Best-guess date: 1831-03-02
1831-3-3
n.p.
From William Samuel Stratford
Discusses confusion with regard to possible separation of Nautical Almanac from Astronomer Royal and ensuing confusion regarding who will succeed John Pond as superintendent of Nautical Almanac. Asks JH to send letter recommending WS to the Duke.
Letter ID: 3610 | Summarized by: SEP | Physical Document: ALS 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 17.85 | Best-guess date: 1831-03-03
1831-4-6
London
From Francis Baily
Amended report of Committee [Board of Visitors?] was 'bitter pill' for John Pond. [P.S.:] Meeting went quietly. 'Sir James' [South?] was not there.
Letter ID: 13655 | Summarized by: JJK | Physical Document: ALS 2pp | Repository: TxU:H/M-0038; Reel 1062 | Best-guess date: 1831-04-06
1831-8-2
Slough
To Thomas John Hussey
Responds to TH's complaint that the government and the R.A.S. are not liberal enough with grants for science. JH rejects both complaints and explains why.
Letter ID: 1022 | Summarized by: DRD | Physical Document: ACCS 2pp | Repository: RS:HS 25.2.11 | Best-guess date: 1831-08-02
1832-2-29
Slough
To Unidentified
Responds to an unidentified mathematician who had written a critique of ideas put forward by Thomas Drummond, regarding whether to estimate the importance of various boroughs primarily in terms of population or in terms of the wealth of the population.
Letter ID: 9482 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: L | Published: John F. McLennan, Memoir of Thomas Drummond (Edinburgh, 1867), 157-9 inc | Best-guess date: 1832-02-29
1832-11-30
Slough
To John Elliot Drinkwater-Bethune
Responds favorably to JD's request that JH vote for J. W. Lubbock in a forthcoming election [to represent the University of Cambridge in Parliament].
Letter ID: 8262 | Summarized by: MJC | Physical Document: ACCS 1p | Repository: RS:HS 19.66 (C: RS LUB.H.347 & RS:HS 21.123 & LCC: DMC.L.928A.1) | Best-guess date: 1832-11-30
1834-10-19
Observatory, Cambridge
From George Biddell Airy
Abstracts of barometrical pressure in various parts of the earth. Has used James South's equatorial with Richard Sheepshanks's clockwork attached. Constitution of Paris Observatory being changed. D. F. J. Arago's experiments on glass and metal. Humphrey Lloyd's experiments on reflected light. Edinburgh's Observatory site likely to be changed. John Pond (Astronomer Royal) has been asked to resign. Thomas Maclear's Cape circle. Reasons for the delay in delivery of R. A. Cauchoix's telescope to Cambridge. House of Lords and Commons burnt down.
Letter ID: 4680 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 7pp | Repository: RS:HS 1.66 (C: RS:HS 1.67) | Best-guess date: 1834-10-19
1835-2-14
Observatory, Cambridge
From George Biddell Airy
Has just been made president of the R.A.S. No news of John Pond's retirement. R. A. Cauchoix's telescope has arrived. Printing of his 1834 observations are well advanced.
Letter ID: 4681 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 2pp | Repository: RS:HS 1.68 | Best-guess date: 1835-02-14
1835-3-7
Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope
From Thomas Maclear
Has been unable to locate the planetary nebulae; did JH give their places correctly, or is the instrument unequal to the task? Sends a comparison of John Pond's declinations and the Cape Zenith distances. Comments on the latitude of the Cape. The Hungerford got off yesterday.
Letter ID: 11697 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 12.62 | Published: Warners, Maclear & Herschel Letters, 79 | Best-guess date: 1835-03-07
1835-7-10
Observatory, Cambridge
From George Biddell Airy
Sends his 1834 observations. Has received JH's weather observing instructions. Likely to accept the post of Astronomer Royal when John Pond resigns. Further remarks on new telescope and of E. J. Cooper's (near Sligo) - planetary disks - errors of divisions of circles. Possibility of small observatory in Upper Canada.
Letter ID: 4682 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 7pp | Repository: RS:HS 1.69 | Best-guess date: 1835-07-10
1835-7-14
London
From Francis Baily
Regarding meteorology. John Pond has resigned as Astronomer Royal and G. B. Airy been appointed in his place. Has finished his own account of John Flamsteed and sent it to the press. Is drawing up a report for the new standard scale.
Letter ID: 6001 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 4pp | Repository: RS:HS 3.127 | Best-guess date: 1835-07-14
[1836]-12-23
Royal Observatory
From Thomas Maclear
From a newspaper received today sees that John Pond is dead and buried. Affair of James South and Edward Troughton and William Simms is as before. Sends the observations of the 21st; rain was not good for astronomical observations. Comments on these readings.
Letter ID: 11883 | Summarized by: RS | Physical Document: ALS 3pp | Repository: RS:HS 12.242 | Published: Warners, Maclear & Herschel Letters, 160 | Best-guess date: 1836-12-23

Showing results: 1-37 of 37
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