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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from George Biddell Airy to Sir John Herschel, dated at Royal Observatory, Greenwich

Reference number: HS/1/72

Date: 3 November 1836

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Another son born. Has given lectures at Cambridge University. Remarks on routine at Royal Observatory. St. Helena Observatory closed. Printing of the Greenwich Observations. 'Northumberland' telescope not ready yet. Observations on the Greenwich zenith tube. Estimates for the Observatory. Suggests that the Observatory should be moved to a new site. Railway plan near Greenwich altered. James MacCullagh's new theory of optics.

Reference number
HS/1/72
Earliest possible date
3 November 1836
Page extent
8 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

George Biddell Airy

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Citation

George Biddell Airy, Letter, from George Biddell Airy to Sir John Herschel, dated at Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 3 November 1836, HS/1/72, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_1_72/letter-from-george-biddell-airy-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-royal-observatory-greenwich, accessed on 12 February 2026

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  • Herschel Letters

    This collection of nearly 10,900 letters, drafts, copies and notes is the largest repository of scientific correspondence from and to Sir John Herschel, leading figure of Victorian science.

    Dates: 1807 - 1875

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