Skip to content

Please be aware that some material may contain words, descriptions or illustrations which will not reflect current scientific understanding and may be considered in today's context inaccurate, unethical, offensive or distressing.

The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Register of nebulae by William Herschel and Caroline Herschel

Reference number: MS/339/3

Date: 26 April 1785-12 May 1793

Description

List of nebulae and star clusters, numbered 1001-1500, arranged in order of discovery, with all subsequent observations and descriptions of the astronomical objects.

A fair copy and collated version of information gathered during telescopic sweeps of the night sky, made at Slough, Berkshire, England, generally with a reflecting telescope of 20 feet diameter and occasionally a 10 feet diameter instrument. These records were transcribed directly from the sweep books, usually on the day following the original sighting.

Generally written on the recto sheets only. With occasional notes in pencil, some by John Frederick William Herschel. The wooden front board has a label: 'Sir William Herschel's nebulae No.1001 - ... - 1500'.

Reference number
MS/339/3
Earliest possible date
26 April 1785-12 May 1793
Physical description
On paper. Originally pressed between wooden boards, which have been removed and retained separately.
Page extent
500 pages.
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Sir William Herschel

Use this record

IIIF manifest

View​ IIIF ​ manifest Opens in new tab

Open in Mirador viewer Opens in new tab

Export this record

Download PDF Opens in new tab

Citation

Sir William Herschel, Register of nebulae by William Herschel and Caroline Herschel, 26 April 1785-12 May 1793, MS/339/3, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ms_339_3/register-of-nebulae-by-william-herschel-and-caroline-herschel, accessed on 09 October 2024

Link to this record

https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ms_339_3/register-of-nebulae-by-william-herschel-and-caroline-herschel

Embed this record

<iframe src="https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/embed/items/ms_339_3/register-of-nebulae-by-william-herschel-and-caroline-herschel" title="Register of nebulae by William Herschel and Caroline Herschel" allow="fullscreen" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="500px"></iframe>

Hierarchy

This item is part of:

Explore the collection

  • Manuscripts General

    Dates: 1551 - 1951

    Science in the Making presents selected items from the 'Manuscripts General' series, notably astronomical observations, investigations of discrete topics, and indices and registers of papers read before the Royal Society.

    View collection