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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Smyth, dated at Slough

Reference number: HS/21/114

Date: 17 July 1832

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Returned from Hanover visit. Observed the star William Henry Smyth had discovered between 36 Ophiuchi and 30 Scorpii. Requests William Henry Smyth to observe a nebula in which John Frederick William Herschel has spotted a triple star. H. C. Schumacher is recovering from illness, while H. W. M. Olbers is very ill and not expected to recover.

Reference number
HS/21/114
Earliest possible date
17 July 1832
Page extent
4 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Smyth, dated at Slough, 17 July 1832, HS/21/114, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_21_114/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-smyth-dated-at-slough, accessed on 12 August 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_21_114/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-smyth-dated-at-slough

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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

    View collection