"Nebulæ can be selected so that an insensible gradation shall take place from a coarse cluster like thePleiadesdown to a milky nebulosity like that inOrion, every intermediate step being represented. This tends to confirm the hypothesis that all are composed of stars more or less remote".
"Nebulæ can be selected so that an insensible gradation shall take place from a coarse cluster like thePleiadesdown to a milky nebulosity like that inOrion, every intermediate step being represented. This tends to confirm the hypothesis that all are composed of stars more or less remote".
So, at first,Herschelbelieved that his twenty-foot telescope was of power sufficient to fathom the Milky Way, that is, to see through it and beyond it, and to reduce all its nebulosities to true groups of stars.
In 1791 he published a memoir onNebulous Stars, in which his views were completely changed. He had found a nebulous star, the sixty-ninth of his Class IV., to which his reasons would not apply. In the centre of it was a bright star; around the star was a halo gradually diminishing in brightness from the star outward, and perfectly circular. It was clear the two parts, star and nebula, were connected, and thus at the same distance from us.
There were two possible solutions only. Either the whole mass was,first, composed of stars, in which case the nucleus would be enormously larger than the other stars of its stellar magnitude elsewhere in the sky, or the stars which made up the halo indefinitely small; or,second, the central nucleus was indeed a star, but a star surrounded with "a shining fluid, of a nature totally unknown to us."
The long strata of nebulæ, which he had before described under the name of "telescopic Milky Ways," might well be accounted for by masses of this fluid lying beyond the regions of the seventh-magnitude stars. This fluid might exist independently of stars. If it is self-luminous, it seems more fit to produce a star by its condensation, than to depend upon the star for its own existence. Such were a few of the theorems to which his discovery of this nebula led him. The hypothesis of an elasticshining fluidexisting in space, sometimes in connection with stars, sometimes distinct from them, was adopted and never abandoned. How well the spectroscope has confirmed this idea it is not necessary to say. We know the shining fluid does exist, and in late years we have seen the reverse of the process imagined byHerschel. A star has actually, under our eyes, become a planetary nebula, and the cycle of which he gave the first terms is complete.
In five separate memoirs (1802, 1811, 1814, 1817, and 1818)Herschelelaborated his views of the sidereal system. The whole extentof his views must be gained from the extended memoirs themselves. Here only the merest outline can be given.
In 1802 there is a marshaling of the various objects beyond our solar system. The stars themselves may beinsulated, or may belong tobinaryormultiplesystems, toclustersand groups, or to grand groups like the Milky Way. Nebulæ may have any of the forms which have been described; and, in 1811, he gives examples of immense spaces in the sky covered with diffused and very faint nebulosity. "Its abundance exceeds all imagination."[38]These masses of nebular matter are the seats of attracting forces, and these forces must produce condensation. When a nebula has more than one preponderating seat of attracting matter, it may in time be divided, and the double nebulæ havehad such an origin. When nebulæ appear to us as round masses, they are in reality globular in form, and this form is at once the effect and the proof of a gravitating cause.
The central brightness of nebulæ points out the seat of the attraction; and the completeness of the approximation to a spherical form points out the length of time that the gravitating forces have been at work. Those nebulæ (and clusters) which are most perfect in the globular form, have been longest exposed to central forces. The planetary nebulæ are the oldest in our system. They must have a rotatory motion on their axes.
By progressive condensation planetary nebulæ may be successively converted into bright stellar nebulæ, or into nebulous stars, and these again, by the effects of the same cause, into insulated or double stars. This chain of theorems, laid down in the memoir of 1811, is enforced in 1814 with examples which show how the nebulous appearance may grow into the sidereal.Herschelselects from the hundreds of instances in his note-books, nebulæ in every stage of progress, and traces theeffect of condensation and of clustering power through all its course, even to the final breaking up of the Milky Way itself.
The memoirs of 1817 and 1818 add little to the general view of the physical constitution of the heavens. They are attempts to gain a scale of celestial measures by which we may judge of the distances of the stars and clusters in which these changes are going on.
There is little to change inHerschel'sstatement of the general construction of the heavens. It is the groundwork upon which we have still to build. Every astronomical discovery and every physical fact well observed is material for the elaboration of its details or for the correction of some of its minor points. As a scientific conception it is perhaps the grandest that has ever entered into the human mind. As a study of the height to which the efforts of one man may go, it is almost without a parallel. The philosopher who will add to it to-day, will have his facts and his methods ready to his hands.Herschelpresents the almost unique example of an eager observer marshaling the multitude of singleinstances, which he himself has laboriously gathered, into a compact and philosophic whole. In spite of minor errors and defects, his ideas of the nature of the sidereal universe have prevailed, and are to-day the unacknowledged basis of our every thought upon it. Some of its most secret processes have been worked out by him, and the paths which he pointed out are those along which our advances must be made.
In concluding this condensed account ofHerschel'sscientific labors, it behoves us to remember that there was nothing due to accident in his long life. He was born with the faculties which fitted him for the gigantic labors which he undertook, and he had the firm basis of energy and principle which kept him steadily to his work.
As a practical astronomer he remains without an equal. In profound philosophy he has few superiors. By a kindly chance he can be claimed as the citizen of no one country. In very truth his is one of the few names which belong to the whole world.
FOOTNOTES:[31]James Short, F.R.S. (1710-1768), andJohn Dollond, F.R.S. (1706-1761), were the most celebrated makers of telescopes of their day. The six-foot Newtonian reflectors ofShort(aperture 9.4 inches), and the forty-six-inch achromatics ofDollond(aperture 3.6 inches), were highly esteemed. The Royal Observatory of Greenwich possessed, in 1765, one of each class. In a comparative trial ofShort'stelescope, at Greenwich, and one ofHerschel'sfirst telescopes, the latter was adjudged greatly superior.[32]At leastoneof these telescopes had the principal mirror made of glass instead of metal.—Philosophical Transactions, 1803.[33]The following extract fromFourier'sÉlogeofHerschelis of interest in this connection. The sum first appropriated by the king was £2,000. This was afterwards raised to £4,000, and a sum of £200 yearly was given for maintenance."L'histoire doit conserver à jamais la réponse de ce prince à un étranger célèbre [Lalande?] qui le remerciait des sommes considérables accordées pour les progrès de l'astronomie. 'Je fais les dépenses de la guerre,' dit le roi, 'parcequ'elles sont nécessaires; quant à celles des sciences, il m'est agréable des les ordonner; leur objet ne coûte point des larmes, et honore l'humanité.'"Lalande'sown account is a little different. He says the king exclaimed: "Ne vaut-il pas mieux employer son argent à cela qu'à faire tuer des hommes?"[34]The memoirs on the parallaxes of stars, written by various astronomers from 1750 to 1800, were mainly directed to the improvement of the methods, or to the discovery of the parallax of some particular star. For example,Lacaille'sobservations ofSirius, at the Cape of Good Hope, had resulted in a parallax of 9″ for that star—a quantity over forty times too large.[35]Herschelaccepted, as did all his cotemporaries, the Newtonian or corpuscular theory of light.[36]Thus the position of small stars critically situated in the centre, or on the edges of the nebulæ was always noted. Many of the descriptions are given in the published papers, but the publication of the diagrams would be an immense help to this branch of astronomy.D'Arrestin his reduction ofHerschel'snebula observations (1856) writes: "Gewiss wäre es vom höchsten Interesse für die Entwickelung, welche hoffentlich auch dieser Zweig der beobachtenden Astronomie zukünftig erhalten wird, wenn dieHerschel'schen Beobachtungen in der Ausführlichkeit in welcher sie, verschiedenen Andeutungen zufolge,handschriftlichvorhanden sind, veröffentlicht würden. Es schliesst sich dieser Wunsch in Betreff der Nebelflecken lebhaft an den an, welcher, schon vor einem Jahrzehnt nach Veröffentlichung der 400 noch unedirtenstar-gaugesvon gewichtigerer Seite her geäussert wurde." In this all must agree who have a knowledge of the direction in which we must look for advances in the difficult and important questions of the distance, the motions, and the changes of the nebulæ. Almost the only aid to be looked for from the older observations must come from such diagrams, and we may safely say that the publication of this priceless material, just as it stands, would carry our exact data back from 1833 to 1786, or no less than forty-seven years.[37]Long afterHerschelhad abandoned this idea, it continued current among astronomers. The successes of LordRosse'stelescope perpetuated to the middle of the nineteenth century an erroneous view whichHerschelhad given up in 1791.[38]These have never been re-observed. They should be sought for with a powerful refractor, taking special precautions against the illumination of the field of view from neighboring bright stars.Herschel'sreflectors were specially open to illusions produced in this way. His observations probably will remain untested until some large telescope is used in the way he adopted,i. e., in sweeping.
[31]James Short, F.R.S. (1710-1768), andJohn Dollond, F.R.S. (1706-1761), were the most celebrated makers of telescopes of their day. The six-foot Newtonian reflectors ofShort(aperture 9.4 inches), and the forty-six-inch achromatics ofDollond(aperture 3.6 inches), were highly esteemed. The Royal Observatory of Greenwich possessed, in 1765, one of each class. In a comparative trial ofShort'stelescope, at Greenwich, and one ofHerschel'sfirst telescopes, the latter was adjudged greatly superior.
[31]James Short, F.R.S. (1710-1768), andJohn Dollond, F.R.S. (1706-1761), were the most celebrated makers of telescopes of their day. The six-foot Newtonian reflectors ofShort(aperture 9.4 inches), and the forty-six-inch achromatics ofDollond(aperture 3.6 inches), were highly esteemed. The Royal Observatory of Greenwich possessed, in 1765, one of each class. In a comparative trial ofShort'stelescope, at Greenwich, and one ofHerschel'sfirst telescopes, the latter was adjudged greatly superior.
[32]At leastoneof these telescopes had the principal mirror made of glass instead of metal.—Philosophical Transactions, 1803.
[32]At leastoneof these telescopes had the principal mirror made of glass instead of metal.—Philosophical Transactions, 1803.
[33]The following extract fromFourier'sÉlogeofHerschelis of interest in this connection. The sum first appropriated by the king was £2,000. This was afterwards raised to £4,000, and a sum of £200 yearly was given for maintenance."L'histoire doit conserver à jamais la réponse de ce prince à un étranger célèbre [Lalande?] qui le remerciait des sommes considérables accordées pour les progrès de l'astronomie. 'Je fais les dépenses de la guerre,' dit le roi, 'parcequ'elles sont nécessaires; quant à celles des sciences, il m'est agréable des les ordonner; leur objet ne coûte point des larmes, et honore l'humanité.'"Lalande'sown account is a little different. He says the king exclaimed: "Ne vaut-il pas mieux employer son argent à cela qu'à faire tuer des hommes?"
[33]The following extract fromFourier'sÉlogeofHerschelis of interest in this connection. The sum first appropriated by the king was £2,000. This was afterwards raised to £4,000, and a sum of £200 yearly was given for maintenance.
"L'histoire doit conserver à jamais la réponse de ce prince à un étranger célèbre [Lalande?] qui le remerciait des sommes considérables accordées pour les progrès de l'astronomie. 'Je fais les dépenses de la guerre,' dit le roi, 'parcequ'elles sont nécessaires; quant à celles des sciences, il m'est agréable des les ordonner; leur objet ne coûte point des larmes, et honore l'humanité.'"
Lalande'sown account is a little different. He says the king exclaimed: "Ne vaut-il pas mieux employer son argent à cela qu'à faire tuer des hommes?"
[34]The memoirs on the parallaxes of stars, written by various astronomers from 1750 to 1800, were mainly directed to the improvement of the methods, or to the discovery of the parallax of some particular star. For example,Lacaille'sobservations ofSirius, at the Cape of Good Hope, had resulted in a parallax of 9″ for that star—a quantity over forty times too large.
[34]The memoirs on the parallaxes of stars, written by various astronomers from 1750 to 1800, were mainly directed to the improvement of the methods, or to the discovery of the parallax of some particular star. For example,Lacaille'sobservations ofSirius, at the Cape of Good Hope, had resulted in a parallax of 9″ for that star—a quantity over forty times too large.
[35]Herschelaccepted, as did all his cotemporaries, the Newtonian or corpuscular theory of light.
[35]Herschelaccepted, as did all his cotemporaries, the Newtonian or corpuscular theory of light.
[36]Thus the position of small stars critically situated in the centre, or on the edges of the nebulæ was always noted. Many of the descriptions are given in the published papers, but the publication of the diagrams would be an immense help to this branch of astronomy.D'Arrestin his reduction ofHerschel'snebula observations (1856) writes: "Gewiss wäre es vom höchsten Interesse für die Entwickelung, welche hoffentlich auch dieser Zweig der beobachtenden Astronomie zukünftig erhalten wird, wenn dieHerschel'schen Beobachtungen in der Ausführlichkeit in welcher sie, verschiedenen Andeutungen zufolge,handschriftlichvorhanden sind, veröffentlicht würden. Es schliesst sich dieser Wunsch in Betreff der Nebelflecken lebhaft an den an, welcher, schon vor einem Jahrzehnt nach Veröffentlichung der 400 noch unedirtenstar-gaugesvon gewichtigerer Seite her geäussert wurde." In this all must agree who have a knowledge of the direction in which we must look for advances in the difficult and important questions of the distance, the motions, and the changes of the nebulæ. Almost the only aid to be looked for from the older observations must come from such diagrams, and we may safely say that the publication of this priceless material, just as it stands, would carry our exact data back from 1833 to 1786, or no less than forty-seven years.
[36]Thus the position of small stars critically situated in the centre, or on the edges of the nebulæ was always noted. Many of the descriptions are given in the published papers, but the publication of the diagrams would be an immense help to this branch of astronomy.D'Arrestin his reduction ofHerschel'snebula observations (1856) writes: "Gewiss wäre es vom höchsten Interesse für die Entwickelung, welche hoffentlich auch dieser Zweig der beobachtenden Astronomie zukünftig erhalten wird, wenn dieHerschel'schen Beobachtungen in der Ausführlichkeit in welcher sie, verschiedenen Andeutungen zufolge,handschriftlichvorhanden sind, veröffentlicht würden. Es schliesst sich dieser Wunsch in Betreff der Nebelflecken lebhaft an den an, welcher, schon vor einem Jahrzehnt nach Veröffentlichung der 400 noch unedirtenstar-gaugesvon gewichtigerer Seite her geäussert wurde." In this all must agree who have a knowledge of the direction in which we must look for advances in the difficult and important questions of the distance, the motions, and the changes of the nebulæ. Almost the only aid to be looked for from the older observations must come from such diagrams, and we may safely say that the publication of this priceless material, just as it stands, would carry our exact data back from 1833 to 1786, or no less than forty-seven years.
[37]Long afterHerschelhad abandoned this idea, it continued current among astronomers. The successes of LordRosse'stelescope perpetuated to the middle of the nineteenth century an erroneous view whichHerschelhad given up in 1791.
[37]Long afterHerschelhad abandoned this idea, it continued current among astronomers. The successes of LordRosse'stelescope perpetuated to the middle of the nineteenth century an erroneous view whichHerschelhad given up in 1791.
[38]These have never been re-observed. They should be sought for with a powerful refractor, taking special precautions against the illumination of the field of view from neighboring bright stars.Herschel'sreflectors were specially open to illusions produced in this way. His observations probably will remain untested until some large telescope is used in the way he adopted,i. e., in sweeping.
[38]These have never been re-observed. They should be sought for with a powerful refractor, taking special precautions against the illumination of the field of view from neighboring bright stars.Herschel'sreflectors were specially open to illusions produced in this way. His observations probably will remain untested until some large telescope is used in the way he adopted,i. e., in sweeping.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
I.—List of the Published Writings of William Herschel on Astronomical Subjects.
[In chronological order.]
N.B.—In general, translations and abstracts of those which appeared in periodicals are not noticed here. I have made exceptions in the more important cases.
[Solution of a prize question.Seethis book,page 46.]
Ladies' Diary, 1779.
Astronomical observations on the periodical star inCollo Ceti.
Phil. Trans., 1780, p. 338.
Astronomical observations relating to the mountains of the moon.
Phil. Trans., 1780, p. 507.
Astronomical observations on the rotation of the planets round their axes, made with a view to determine whether the earth's diurnal motion is perfectly equable.
Phil. Trans., 1781, p. 115.
Account of a comet. [Dated 13th March, 1781. This wasUranus.]
Phil. Trans., 1781, p. 492.
On the parallax of the fixed stars.
Phil. Trans., 1782, p. 82.
Catalogue of double stars.
Phil. Trans., 1782, p. 112: translation inBode's Jahrbuch, 1786, p. 187.[Pg 216]
Description of a lamp micrometer and the method of using it.
Phil. Trans., 1782, p. 163.
A paper to obviate some doubts concerning the great magnifying powers used.
Phil. Trans., 1782, p. 173.
A letter fromWilliam Herschel, Esq., F.R.S., to SirJoseph Banks,Bart., P.R.S.
Phil. Trans., 1783, p. 1.
Aus einem Schreiben des Hrn.Herschelan mich [Bode], datirt London, den 13ten August, 1783.
[This is a letter forwardingHerschel'smemoir on the Parallax of the Fixed Stars, etc.]
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1786, p. 258.
On the diameter and magnitude of theGeorgium Sidus, with a description of the dark and lucid disk and periphery micrometers.
Phil. Trans., 1783, p. 4.
On the proper motion of the sun and solar system, with an account of several changes that have happened among the fixed stars since the time of Mr.Flamsteed.
Phil. Trans., 1783, p. 247.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1787, p. 194, p. 224.
Astronomische Nachrichten und Entdeckungen, aus einem französischen Schreiben desselben an mich [Bode], datirt Datchet, nahe bey Windsor, den 18.Mai, 1784.
[This letter is on the subject of the use of high magnifying powers, and gives arésuméof his recent papers.]
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1787, p. 211.
On the remarkable appearances at the polar regions of the planetMars, the inclination of its axis, the position of its poles and its spheroidical figure; with a few hints relating to its real diameter and atmosphere.
Phil. Trans., 1784, p. 233.[Pg 217]
Account of some observations tending to investigate the construction of the heavens.
Phil. Trans., 1784, p. 437.
[Bode's Jahrbuch, 1788, p. 246, has a summary of this paper by Baronvon Zach. See, also,Bode's Jahrbuch, 1794, p. 213.]
Catalogue of double stars.
Phil. Trans., 1785, p. 40.
On the construction of the heavens.
Phil. Trans., 1785, p. 213.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1788, p. 238. See, also,same, 1787, p. 213, and 1794, p. 213.
Aus einem Schreiben des Hrn.Herschelan mich [Bode], datirt Clay Hall, nahe bey Windsor, den 20. Jul., 1785.
[This is a letter forwarding two memoirs, and giving the prices of telescopes]
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1788, p. 254.
Catalogue of one thousand new nebulæ and clusters of stars.
Phil. Trans., 1786, p. 457.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1791, p. 157, andsame, 1794, p. 213.
Investigation of the cause of that indistinctness of vision which has been ascribed to the smallness of the optic pencil.
Phil. Trans., 1786, p. 500.
Remarks on the new comet [1786, II.].
Phil. Trans., 1787, p. 4.
[Letter fromHerscheltoBodeon the discovery of two satellites toUranus, dated Slough, 1787, Feb. 11.]
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1790, p. 253.
An account of the discovery of two satellites revolving round theGeorgian planet.
Phil. Trans., 1787, p. 125.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1791, p. 255.[Pg 218]
An account of three volcanoes in the moon.
Phil. Trans., 1787, p. 229.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1791, p. 255.
Note on M.Méchain'scomet. [1787, I.] [Added to preceding paper.]
Phil. Trans., 1787, p. 232.
On theGeorgian planetand its satellites.
Phil. Trans., 1788, p. 364.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1793, p. 104.
Observations on a comet [1788, II.].
Phil. Trans., 1789, p. 151.
Catalogue of a second thousand of new nebulæ and clusters of stars, with a few introductory remarks on the construction of the heavens.
Phil. Trans., 1789, p. 212.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1793, p. 104.Also,same, 1794, p. 150.
Account of the discovery of a sixth and seventh satellite of the planetSaturn, with remarks on the construction of its ring, its atmosphere, its rotation on an axis, and its spheroidical figure.
Phil. Trans., 1790, p. 1.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1793, p. 239;same, 1796, p. 88; 1797, p. 249.
On the satellites of the planetSaturn, and the rotation of its ring on an axis.
Phil. Trans., 1790, p. 427.
On nebulous stars properly so called.
Phil. Trans., 1791, p. 71.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1801, p. 128.
On the ring ofSaturnand the rotation of the fifth satellite upon its axis.
Phil. Trans., 1792, p. 1.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1796, p. 88.[Pg 219]
Miscellaneous observations.[Account of a comet], p. 23 [1792, I.].[On the periodical appearance of ο Ceti], p. 24.[On the disappearance of the 55thHerculis], p. 26.[Remarkable phenomenon in an eclipse of the moon], p. 27.
Phil. Trans., 1792, p. 23.
Observations on the planetVenus.
Phil. Trans., 1793, p. 201.
Observations of a quintuple belt on the planetSaturn.
Phil. Trans., 1794, p. 28.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1798, p. 90.
Account of some particulars observed during the late eclipse of the sun. [1793, September 5th.]
Phil. Trans., 1794, p. 39.
On the rotation of the planetSaturnupon its axis.
Phil. Trans., 1794, p. 48.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1798, p. 74.
On the nature and construction of the sun and fixed stars.
Phil. Trans., 1795, p. 46.Bode's Jahrbuch, II. Suppl. Band, p. 65.
Description of a forty-foot reflecting telescope.
Phil. Trans., 1795, p. 347.Bode's Jahrbuch, III. Suppl.Band,p. 238.
Additional observations on the comet. [1796, I.]
Phil. Trans., 1796, p. 131.
On the method of observing the changes that happen to the fixed stars; with some remarks on the stability of the light of our sun. To which is added a catalogue of comparative brightness for ascertaining the permanency of the lustre of stars.
Phil. Trans., 1796, p. 166.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1809, p. 201.[Pg 220]
On the periodical star αHerculis; with remarks tending to establish the rotatory motion of the stars on their axes; to which is added a second catalogue of the comparative brightness of the stars.
Phil. Trans., 1796, p. 452.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1809, p. 201.
A third catalogue of the comparative brightness of the stars, with an introductory account of an index to Mr.Flamsteed'sobservations of the fixed stars, contained in the second volume of the Historia Cœlestis. To which are added several useful results derived from that index.
Phil. Trans., 1797, p. 293.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1810, p. 143.
Observations of the changeable brightness of the satellites ofJupiter, and of the variation in their apparent magnitudes, with a determination of the time of their rotatory motions on their axes. To which is added a measure of the diameter of the second satellite, and an estimate of the comparative size of all the four.
Phil. Trans., 1797, p. 332.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1801, p. 103.
On the discovery of four additional satellites of theGeorgium Sidus. The retrograde motion of its old satellites announced, and the cause of their disappearance at certain distances from the planet explained.
Phil. Trans., 1798, p. 47.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1801, p. 231.
A fourth catalogue of the comparative brightness of the stars.
Phil. Trans., 1799, p. 121.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1810, p. 143.
On the power of penetrating into space by telescopes, with a comparative determination of the extent of that power in natural vision, and in telescopes of various sizes and constructions, illustrated by select observations.
Phil. Trans., 1800, pp. 49-85.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1804, p. 231.[Pg 221]
Investigation of the powers of the prismatic colors to heat and illuminate objects, with remarks that prove the different refrangibility of radiant heat. To which is added an inquiry into the method of viewing the sun advantageously with telescopes of large apertures and high magnifying powers.
Phil. Trans., 1800, pp. 255-283.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1804, p. 89.
Experiments on the refrangibility of the invisible rays of the sun.
Phil. Trans., 1800, pp. 284-292.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1804, p. 89.
Experiments on the solar and on the terrestrial rays that occasion heat, with a comparative view of the laws by which light and heat, or rather the rays that occasion them, are subject, in order to determine whether they are the same or different.
Phil. Trans., 1800, pp. 293-326, 437-538.Gilbert Annal., X. (1802), pp. 68-78;same, XII. (1803), pp. 521-546.
Observations tending to investigate the nature of the sun, in order to find the causes or symptoms of its variable emission of light and heat, with remarks on the use that may possibly be drawn from solar observations.
Phil. Trans., 1801, pp. 265-318.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1805, p. 218, and 1806, p. 113.
Ueber den 7 Nebelfleck der 1sten classe des Herschel'schen Verzeichniss, und ueberCeresandPallas, vom Herrn DoctorHerschel, aus zwey Briefen desselben.
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1805, p. 211.
Additional observations tending to investigate the symptoms of the variable emission of the light and heat of the sun, with trials to set aside darkening glasses by transmitting the solar rays through liquids, and a few remarks to remove objections that might be made against some of the arguments contained in the former paper.
Phil. Trans., 1801, pp. 354-362.[Pg 222]
Observations on the two lately discovered celestial bodies [Ceres and Pallas].
Phil. Trans., 1802, pp. 213-232.Nicholson Journal, IV. (1808), pp. 120-130, 142-148.
Catalogue of five hundred new nebulæ, nebulous stars, planetary nebulæ, and clusters of stars, with remarks on the construction of the heavens.
Phil. Trans., 1802, pp. 477-528.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1807, p. 113.
Observations of the transit ofMercuryover the sun's disk, to which is added an investigation of the causes which often prevent the proper action of mirrors.
Phil. Trans., 1803, pp. 214-232.
Account of the changes which have happened during the last twenty-five years in the relative situation of double stars, with an investigation of the cause to which they are owing.
Phil. Trans., 1803, pp. 339-382.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1808, pp. 154-178.
Continuation of the account of the changes that have happened in the relative situation of double stars.
Phil. Trans., 1804, pp. 353-384.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1808, p. 226.
Aus einem Schreiben des Herrn DoctorHerschel, datirt Slough, bey Windsor, den 31. May, 1804.
[Relates to his theory of the relation between the solar radiation and the price of wheat.]
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1808, p. 226.
Experiments for ascertaining how far telescopes will enable us to determine very small angles, and to distinguish the real from the spurious diameters of celestial and terrestrial objects, with an application of the results of those experiments to a series of observations on the nature and magnitude of Mr.Harding'slately discovered star [Juno(1804),].
Phil. Trans., 1805, pp. 31-70.[Pg 223]
On the direction and velocity of the motion of the sun and solar system.
Phil. Trans., 1805, pp. 233-256.Bode's Jahrbuch, IV. Suppl. Band, p. 67.
Observations on the singular figure of the planetSaturn.
Phil. Trans., 1805, pp. 272-280.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1809, p. 197.
On the quantity and velocity of solar motion.
Phil. Trans., 1806, pp. 205-237.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1811, p. 224.
Observations and remarks on the figure, climate, and atmosphere ofSaturnand its ring.
Phil. Trans., 1806, pp. 455-467.Gilbert Annal., XXXIV. (1810), pp. 82-105.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1810, p. 228.
Experiments for investigating the cause of the colored concentric rings discovered by SirI. Newtonbetween two object-glasses laid one upon another.
Phil. Trans., 1807, pp. 180-233.Annal. de Chimie, LXX., 1809, pp. 154-181, 293-321;same, LXXI., 1809, pp. 5-40.
Observations on the nature of the new celestial body [Vesta] discovered by Dr.Olbers, and of the comet which was expected to appear last January in its return from the sun. [1806, II.]
Phil. Trans., 1807, pp. 260-266.
Observations of a comet [1807, I.] made with a view to investigate its magnitude and the nature of its illumination, to which is added an account of a new irregularity lately perceived in the apparent figure of the planetSaturn.
Phil. Trans., 1808, pp. 145-163.Gilbert Annal., XXXVI. (1810), pp. 389-393.Zach, Monat. Corresp., XX. (1809), pp. 512-514.[Pg 224]
Continuation of experiments for investigating the cause of colored concentric rings and other appearances of a similar nature.
Phil. Trans., 1809, pp. 259-302.
Supplement to the first and second part of the paper of experiments for investigating the cause of colored concentric rings between object-glasses, and other appearances of a similar nature.
Phil. Trans., 1810, pp. 149-177.Gilbert Annal., XLVI., 1814, pp. 22-79.
Astronomical observations relating to the construction of the heavens, arranged for the purpose of a critical examination, the result of which appears to throw some new light upon the organization of the celestial bodies.
Phil. Trans., 1811, pp. 269-336.Journ. de Phys., LXXV., 1812, pp. 121-167.
Observations of a comet, with remarks on the construction of its different parts [1811, I.].
Phil. Trans., 1812, pp. 115-143.Journ. de Phys., LXXVII., 1813, pp. 125-135.Zach, Monat. Corresp., XXVIII., 1813, pp. 455-469, 558-568.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1816, p. 185.
Observations of a second comet, with remarks on its construction [1811, II.].
Phil. Trans., 1812, pp. 229-237.Nicholson Journ., XXXV., 1813, pp. 193-199.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1816, p. 203.
Astronomical observations relating to the sidereal part of the heavens, and its connection with the nebulous part, arranged for the purpose of a critical examination.
Phil. Trans., 1814. pp. 248-284.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1818, pp. 97-118.
A series of observations of the satellites of theGeorgian planet, including a passage through the node of their orbits, with an introductory account of the telescopic apparatus that has been used on this occasion, and a final[Pg 225]exposition of some calculated particulars deduced from the observations.
Phil. Trans., 1815, pp. 293-362.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1819, p. 232-242.
Astronomical observations and experiments tending to investigate the local arrangement of the celestial bodies in space, and to determine the extent and condition of the Milky Way.
Phil. Trans., 1817, pp. 302-331.Bode's Jahrbuch, 1821, p. 149.
Astronomical observations and experiments selected for the purpose of ascertaining the relative distances of clusters of stars, and of investigating how far the power of our telescopes may be expected to reach into space, when directed to ambiguous celestial objects.
Phil. Trans., 1818, pp. 429-470.
On the places of one hundred and forty-five new double stars (1821).
Mem. Roy. Ast. Soc., 1, 1822, pp. 166-181.
II.—List of Works relating to the Life and Writings of William Herschel.
[Arranged alphabetically by authors.]
N.B.—In general, the notices of his life to be found in Encyclopædias of Biography, etc., are not included here.
Arago (F.)
Analyse de la vie et des travaux de SirWilliam Herschel[fromAnnuaire du Bureau des Longitudes, 1842]. Paris, 1843. 18mo.
[See also theAnnuairefor 1834, for an account ofHerschel'swork on double stars.]
Arago (F.)
Biographies of Distinguished Scientific Men. Translated by AdmiralW. H. Smyth, Rev.B. Powell, andRobert Grant, Esq.Herschel.
First series, p. 258. Boston, 1859. 8vo.[Pg 226]
Arago (F.)
Herschel. [Translated from the French.]
Smithsonian Report. 1870. p. 197. 8vo.
Auwers (A.)
William Herschel'sVerzeichnisse von Nebelflecken und Sternhaufen bearbeitet von A.Auwers.
From theKönigsberg Observations. 1862. Folio.
Bessel (F. W.)
SirWilliam Herschel. [From theKönigsberger Allgemeine Zeitung, 1, 1843, No. 37,et seq., reprinted in his]Abhandlungen, vol iii., p. 468. Leipzig, 1876. 4to.
D'Arrest (H. L.)
Verzeichniss von SirWilliam Herschel'sNebelfleckenersterundvierterClasse, aus den Beobachtungen berechnet und auf 1850 reducirt.
Abhandlungen der Math. Phys. Classe der K. Sächs Gesells. d. Wissenschaften, Band iii. [1857], p. 359.
Dunkin (E.)
Obituary Notices of Astronomers, p. 86. SirWilliam Herschel,
K.C.H., F.R.S., 1738-1822.
London, 1879. 12mo.
Fétis (F. J.)
Biographie universelle des Musiciens [ArticleHerschel].
Paris, 1835-37. 8vo.
Forbes (J. D.)
SirWilliam Herschel[being § 2 of Dissertation vi.].
Encyclopædia Britannica, eighth edition. Vol. i.,Dissertations, p. 838.
Fourier (J.)
Éloge historique de SirWilliam Herschel, prononcé dans la séance publique de l'Académie royale des sciences le 7 Juin, 1824.
Historie de l'Académie Royale des Sciences de l'Institut de France,tomevi.,année1823, p. lxi.[Pg 227]
Harding (C. L.)
Des Herrn Dr.Herschel'sUntersuchungen über die Natur der Sonnenstrahlen, aus dem englischen übersetzt. Erstes Heft. [Translations fromPhil. Trans., 1800.] Celle, 1801. 16mo.
Hastings (C. S.)
SeeHoldenandHastings.
Herschel (Carolina.)
An Account of a new Comet. [1786, II.]
Phil. Trans., 1787, vol. LXXVII., p. 1.
Herschel (Carolina.)
An Account of the Discovery of a Comet. [1793, I.]
Phil. Trans., 1794, vol. LXXXIV., p. 1.
Herschel (Carolina.)
Account of the Discovery of a Comet. [1795, II.]
Phil. Trans., 1796, vol. LXXXVI., p. 131.
Herschel (Carolina.)
Catalogue of Stars taken fromFlamsteed'sobservations contained in the second volume of hisHistoria Cœlestis, and not inserted in the British Catalogue; to which is added a collection of errata which should be noticed in the same volume; with remarks byW. Herschel. London, 1798. Folio.
Herschel (Carolina.)
Verzeichniss von 74 SternenFlamsteedsvon denen keine beobachtungen in derHist. Cœl. Brit.vorkommen.
Bode's Jahrbuch, 1806, p. 255
[Herschel (Carolina.)]
[Notice of her Life.]
Monthly Notices Roy. Ast. Soc., vol. 8, p. 64;also,Memoirs Roy. Ast. Soc., vol. 17, p. 120.
[Herschel (Carolina.)]
[Pg 228]Memoir and Correspondence ofCaroline Herschel. By Mrs.John Herschel. With portraits. London, 1876. 12mo.
Herschel (J. F. W.)
ArticleTelescope, in Encyclopædia Britannica, eighth edition. [This article (illustrated) gives most of the important features of SirWilliam Herschel'smanner of grinding and polishing specula.]
Herschel (J. F. W.)
Catalogue of Nebulæ and Clusters of Stars. [General and systematic reduction of all SirW. Herschel'sobservations brought into connection with all other similar ones.]
Phil. Trans., 1864. Page 1. 4to.
Herschel (J. F. W.)
A Synopsis of all SirWilliam Herschel'sMicrometrical Measurements, etc., of Double Stars, together with a Catalogue of those Stars . . . for 1880.
Mem. Roy. Ast. Soc., vol. 35, p. 21. Lond., 1867. 4to.
Herschel (J. F. W.)
Additional Identifications of Double Stars in the Synoptic Catalogues of SirWilliam Herschel'sMicrometrical Measurements, etc.
Monthly Notices Roy. Ast. Soc., vol. 28, p. 151. London, 1868. 8vo.
Herschel (Mrs. John.)
Memoir and Correspondence ofCaroline Herschel. With portraits. London, 1876. 12mo.
Herschel (W.)
[Solution of a prize question.Seethis book,page 46.]
Ladies' Diary, 1779.
Herschel (W.)
The favorite Eccho Catch . . . and the preceding Glee [byS. Leach]. To which is added the . . . Catch Sung by Three Old Women . . . in the Pantomime called "The Genius of Nonsense" [byH. Harington].
London, 1780(?). Obl. folio. [A MS. copy of this was kindly furnished me by Dr. R.Garnett, of the British Museum.][Pg 229]
Herschel (W.)
Göttingen Magazin der Wissenschaften und Literatur(1783), vol. iii., p. 4.LichtenbergandForster, Editors. [Letter fromHerschel, giving a brief account of his life.Seethis book, page 3.]
Herschel (W.)
I.Manuscripts in possession of the Royal Society.
1. A series of register sheets in which are entered upallthe observations ofeachnebula, copiedverbatimfrom the sweeps. 2. A similar set of register sheets forMessier'snebulæ. 3. A general index of the 2,508 nebulæ ofW. Herschel; given the class and number, to find the general number. 4. An index list; given the general number, to find the class and number. 5. A more complete list like 4. 6. A manuscript catalogue of all the nebulæ and clusters, reduced to 1,800, and arranged in zones of 1° in polar distance; by MissCarolina Herschel. 7. The original sweeps with the 20-foot reflector at Slough, in three small 4to and four folio vols. of MS.
II.Manuscripts in possession of the Royal Astronomical Society.
This library contains "the whole series of autograph observations of each double star [observed byHerschel], brought together on separate sheets by SirWilliam Herscheland MissCarolina Herschel."
[Herschel (W.)]
Some Account of the Life and Writings ofWilliam Herschel, Esq. [With a Portrait.]
TheEuropean Magazine and London Reviewfor January, 1785. 8vo.[Pg 230]
[Herschel (W.)]
Edinburgh Review, vol. i., p, 426. [A review ofHerschel'smemoir, "Observations on the two lately discovered bodies," fromPhil. Trans., 1802.Seethis book, page 96.]
[Herschel (W.)]
"SirWilliam Herschel, from a London paper."
[This is a short obituary notice "furnished by a gentleman well acquainted with SirWilliamand his family, and its accuracy may be relied on."]
Niles' Register, vol. 23, p. 154. Nov. 9, 1822. 8vo.
[Herschel (W.)]
Obituary: SirWilliam Herschel, Knt., LL.D., F.R.S.
The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle, vol. xcii., 1822, p. 274. 8vo.
[Herschel (W.)]
Annual Register, 1822, p. 289. 8vo.
[Herschel (W.)]
W. Herschel'sSämmtliche Schriften, Erster Band.
Ueber den Bau des Himmels. Mit 10 Kupfertafeln. [Edited byJ. W. Pfaff. A second edition was published in 1850.] Dresden and Leipzig, 1828. 8vo.
[Herschel (W.)]
New York Mirror, vol. vi., 1829-30, p. 388.
[Herschel (W.)]
Living Age, vol. ii., p. 125 (1844). 8vo.
[Reprinted fromChambers' Journal.]
[Herschel (W.)]
Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. 31, p. 438. 8vo.
[Review ofArago's"Analyse de la vie et des travaux de SirWilliam Herschel."]
[Herschel (W.)]
Arago'sLife ofHerschel.
Eclectic Museum, vol. ii., p. 556. [Reprinted from theForeign Quarterly Review, vol. 31.][Pg 231]
Holden (E. S.)
On the Inner Satellites ofUranus. [Reduction of SirWilliam Herschel'sobservations.]
Proceedings Amer. Assn. Adv. Science,August, 1874, p. 49. 8vo.
Holden (E. S.)
Index Catalogue of Books and Memoirs relative to nebulæ, clusters, etc.Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, No. 311, pp. 19-38. [Abstracts of SirWilliam Herschel'smemoirs (on nebulæ) in thePhilosophical Transactions.]
Washington, 1877. 8vo.
Holden (E. S.) and C. S. Hastings.
A Subject-index and a Synopsis of the scientific writings of SirWilliam Herschel. [Reprinted from theReportof the Smithsonian Institution (1879).]
Washington, 1881. 8vo.
Krafft (J. G. F.)
Kurze Nachricht von dem berühmten AstronomenHerschelund einigen seiner Entdeckungen.
Bayreuth, 1787. 8vo.
Peirce (C. S.)
Photometric Researches. [A reduction ofHerschel'sobservations on the comparative brightness of the stars.]Annals Harvard College Observatory, vol. ix.
Leipzig, 1878. 4to.
Sommer (G. M.)
William Herschel. . . ueber den Bau des Himmels; drei abhandlungen aus dem englischen uebersetzt, nebst einem authentischen Auszug ausKantsallgemeiner Naturgeschichte und Theorie des Himmels.
Koenigsberg, 1791. 8vo.[Pg 232]
Struve (W.)
Études d'astronomie stellaire. Sur la voie lactée et sur la distance des étoiles fixes. [P. 24et seq.contains an elaborate review of the construction of the heavens according toHerschel.] St. Petersburg, 1847. 8vo.
Wolf (R.)
William Herschel.Zurich, 1867. 8vo.
Zach (F. von.)
Dr.William Herschel[translated fromPublic Charactersand printed inZach'sMonatlich Correspondenz, 1802, part i., p. 70et seq.]
III.—List of the Published Portraits of William Herschel.
Artist,Mme. Dupiery.Engraver,Thönert. 8vo. Early portrait. Some copies in red. Profile.
Artist,F. Rehburg.Engraver,F. W. Bollinger. 8vo. Late portrait.
Artist, ——?Engraver,C. Westermayr. 8vo. Medallion.
Artist,C. Brand.Engraver, ——? 8vo. Lithograph.
Artist, ——?Engraver,J. Sewell. 8vo. Profile, 1785.
Artist, ——?Engraver, ——? 8vo. Profile.
Artist,F. Bonneville.Engraver,F. Bonneville. 8vo. Profile.
Artist,J. Russell, R.A.Engraver,E. Scriven.8vo. Engraved from a crayon in the possession of his son, and published by the S. D. U. K. in theGallery of Portraits, vol. 5.
Artist, ——?Engraver, ——? 8vo.European Magazine, Jan., 1785. This is a bust in profile, showing the left side of the face.
[Pg 233]
Artist, ——?Engraver,Thomson. 8vo. Published by Caxton, 1823. This must have been engraved before 1816 since the legend isWilliam Herschel, LL.D., F.R.S.
Artist, LadyGordon. From the painting byAbbottin the National Portrait Gallery.Engraver,Joseph Brown. 8vo. Published in memoir ofCaroline Herschel. This is of the date 1788, or thereabouts.Seefrontispiece.
Artist, ——?Engraver,C. Müller. 4to. Medallion, 1785(?).
Artist, ——?Engraver,H. Pinhas. 4to. Legend in Russian.
Artist,Baisch.Engraver, ——? 4to. Lithograph.
Artist,H. Grévedon.Engraver, ——? Fol. Lithograph.
Artist, ——?Engraver,F. Müller. Fol.
Artist,Abbott.Engraver,Ryder. Fol. 1788.
Artist,J. Boilly.Engraver, ——? Fol. 1822. Lithograph.
Artist, ——?Engraver,J. Godby. Fol.
R. W. S. Lutwidge, Esq., F.R.A.S., has an original seal with a head of SirWilliam Herschel, which is shown on the title-page of this work. A cut of it has been courteously furnished me byJohn Browning, Esq., F.R.A.S., etc.
In 1787 a bust ofHerschelwas made byLockiefor SirWilliam Watson.
A picture ofHerschelwas painted by Mr.Artaudabout the beginning of 1819. A portrait ofHerschelbyAbbottis in the National Portrait Gallery, London. There are no doubt many other paintings in England, though I can find notices of these only. The Royal Society of London has nearly a hundred portraits of its most distinguished members, but owns none of SirWilliam Herschel.