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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Smyth, dated at [Collingwood]

Reference number: HS/22/160

Date: 29 June 1843

Description

Copy of a letter. Reaches conclusion about Gamma Virginis. States in regard to shape of orbit, 'We are all wrong.' Believes the orbit is less than 150 years. Claims that many errors exist in British measurements made between 1829 and 1834.

Reference number
HS/22/160
Earliest possible date
29 June 1843
Page extent
1 page
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 [Collingwood], 29 June 1843, HS/22/160, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_22_160/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-smyth-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 12 August 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_22_160/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-smyth-dated-at-collingwood

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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