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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Minutes of the Balloon Committee of the British Association, by William Henry Sykes

Reference number: HS/19/204

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.

Reference number
HS/19/204
Earliest possible date
1 February 1862
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
2 pp.

Creator name

William Henry Sykes

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Citation

William Henry Sykes, Minutes of the Balloon Committee of the British Association, by William Henry Sykes, 1 February 1862, HS/19/204, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_19_204/minutes-of-the-balloon-committee-of-the-british-association-by-william-henry-sykes, accessed on 11 August 2026

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    Dates: 1807 - 1875

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