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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/21/73

Date: 8 August 1830

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Advises William Henry Smyth on best ways to make a 'darkening glass' for solar observations. Also suggests method for delineating sunspots. Hopes William Henry Smyth will attend Nautical Almanac meeting and support his points. Completes two telescope mirrors and observes Uranian satellites. Asks William Henry Smyth to look for a double star between Beta1 and Beta2 Capricorni.

Reference number
HS/21/73
Earliest possible date
8 August 1830
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, 8 August 1830, HS/21/73, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_21_73/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_73/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