Paper, 'On the photographic spectrum of comet (Wells) I,1882' by [William] Huggins

Description

Huggins writes: 'On the evening of Wednesday, May 31, I obtained a photograph of the spectrum of this comet with an exposure of one hour and a quarter. A spectrum of a Ursæ Majoris was taken through the other half of the slit, on the plate, for comparison. The photograph shows a strong continuous spectrum extending from about F to a little beyond H. In this continuous spectrum I am not able to distinguish the Fraunhofer lines. In this comet therefore, at this time, the original light giving a continuous spectrum must have been much stronger relatively to the sunlight reflected than was the case in the comet of last year. It should be stated that the greater faintness of the present comet made it necessary to use a more open slit, which would cause the Fraunhofer lines to be less distinct; but the lines G, H, and K are to be clearly seen in the star’s spectrum taken under the same conditions.'

Annotations in pencil and ink. Includes a diagram of the spectrum.

Subject: Spectroscopy / Astronomy

Received and read 15 June 1882.

A version of this paper was published in volume 34 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'On the photographic spectrum of comet (Wells) 1,1882'.

Reference number

PP/2/18

Earliest possible date

1882

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

4 pages

Format

Manuscript
Diagram