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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/19/205

Date: 13 March 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 expressing doubt of efficiency of polariscope and electrometer, resolution not to use the instruments.
Letter from James Glaisher read and entered in minutes, resolution that all instruments be sent to Glaisher and that they be fitted into the car of the balloon before travel.
Resolution to invite observers from the ground in Bristol, Pembroke, Llandudno, Bangor, Lampeter, Harwarden, Liverpool, Manchester, Wakefield, Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Dis[s], Cambridge, Hartwell Oxford, Gloucester, Worcester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Derby, Nottingham, Oakham and Norwich.
Resolution that the first ascent should take place on Saturday 22 March 1862 'not later than 12 meridian', second ascent in the course of Monday or Tuesday.
Resolution that Lord Wrottesley be requested to take altitude and azimuths of the balloon from his observatory.
Resolved that the air tube samples be analysed at Kew Observatory by Professor W.H. Miller.

Reference number
HS/19/205
Earliest possible date
13 March 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, 13 March 1862, HS/19/205, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_19_205/minutes-of-the-balloon-committee-of-the-british-association-by-william-henry-sykes, accessed on 11 August 2026

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