Paper, 'Suggestions on the classification of the various species of heavenly bodies' by Joseph Norman Lockyer

Description

Lockyer writes: 'In a paper communicated to the Royal Society on November 15th, 1887 [see PP/11/5], I showed that the nebulae are composed of sparse meteorites, the collisions of which bring about a rise of temperature sufficient to render luminous one of their chief constituents—magnesium. This conclusion was arrived at from the facts that the chief nebula lines are coincident in position with the fluting and lines visible in the bunsen burner when magnesiu m is in troduced, and that the fluting is far brighter at that temperature than almost any other spectral line or fluting of any element whatever.' Presented as the Bakerian Lecture for 1888.

Annotations in pencil and ink. Includes 15 diagrams of geometrical figures and spectra.

Subject: Astronomy

Delivered 12 April 1888.

The Bakerian Medal and Lecture is the Royal Society's premier lecture in physical sciences. The lectureship was established through a bequest by Henry Baker of £100 for 'an oration or discourse on such part of natural history or experimental philosophy, at such time and in such manner as the President and Council of the Society for the time being shall please to order and appoint'. The lectureship has been awarded annually since 1775.

A version of this paper was published in volume 44 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'The Bakerian lecture.—Suggestions on the classification of the various species of heavenly bodies'.

Reference number

PP/12/1

Earliest possible date

April 1888

Physical description

Ink and grapite pencil on paper

Page extent

123 pages

Format

Printed
Typescript
Manuscript
Diagram