Issue 5 – November 2004 Editorial David Rayner

Welcome to the fifth issue of the is compiling a CD record of the updated with news and events. SHA Newsletter. As the eagle-eyed English Mechanic and World of Take a look - you'll be surprised at of you will already have noticed, this Science magazine, a tribute from the changes! issue carries the SHA logo and Peredur Williams on the centenary banner for the first time. The of the the interpretation of the P Finally, a reminder that articles and editorial team hopes you like the new Cygni line profile and Clive letters for the Newsletter are always appearance. Davenhall's revisit to the welcome. Addresses and details are Lancashire village of Much Hoole to be found on the back page. As well as the usual SHA news and to study transits of Venus old and Please don't think we need an in features this bumper-size issue new. depth piece of work, in fact from contains an interesting item from the point of view of compiling the Mike Frost on the eclipse of 1737 Members who have access to the Newsletter, snippets are really as recalled by records uncovered in Internet may like to know that our useful for fill-ins. All contributions the Warwickshire county archives, website www.shastro.org.uk/ has will be gratefully received! a cry of help from Eric Hutton who been reworked and is now regularly

Jeremiah Horrocks and the transits of Venus

In 1639 Jeremiah Horrocks made the first observations of a transit of Venus. Tragically, he died shortly afterwards, and his papers were dispersed, and many lost, after his death. However, by a tortuous route, his account of the transit came into the possession of Johannes Hevelius in Danzig, who published it in 1662.

Horrocks’ diagram of the 1639 transit shown opposite is taken from Hevelius’ work.

IAU Colloquium 196: Transits of Venus: New Views of the Solar System and Galaxy was held to coincide with this year’s transit and on the day of the event visited the village of Much Hoole in Lancashire, from where Horrocks made his observations. A report of this meeting appears inside. I became increasingly absorbed in Letter from the Chair astronomical history, and since my Gilbert Satterthwaite FRAS, SHA Chairman retirement I have begun to write up the research of many years. In I am grateful for this opportunity to publications. There I had the added Manchester in 2000 I was elected a introduce myself. It came as a great advantage of an office just across member of Commission 16 (History surprise when the Council invited the Burlington House courtyard of Astronomy) of the IAU, and was me to succeed Emily Winterburn in from the premises of the RAS, of invited to present a paper on Airy’s the Chair; although a Founder which I have been a Fellow for positional instruments at the General Member I had had no involvement many years, and was thus able to Assembly in Sydney last year. in the running of the Society. Whilst gain an insight into the day-to-day I was very honoured by the running of two national bodies. Since assuming the Chair I have invitation, I felt I should consider received great support from very carefully before accepting it. Astronomy has been a passion since members of the Council, especially Could I really contribute boyhood, and I was first taught it by Stuart Williams and Ken Goward, significantly to this young but Dr A.F. Alexander, an eminent for which I am very grateful. After already very promising amateur astronomer well-known for just a few months I have been organisation? his classic books The Planet Saturn privileged to see many good things and The Planet Uranus. Dr happen, some of which are referred After some reflection, I decided that Alexander was an historian by to elsewhere in this Newsletter. I I could accept with a clear training, and taught astronomy on a have just returned from a meeting of conscience. I have, after all, been sound historical basis. The interest the Council at which most of the involved in many organisations, in the history of the subject he Society’s activities were examined both large and small, through most instilled in me was greatly increased in detail. Not everything has gone as of my adult life. I was a member of when I found myself working at the well as we might have hoped, but the Council of the BAA for a Royal Observatory, Greenwich, improvements are in place and we number of years. I founded the observing with the Transit Circle Sir are optimistic for the future. Above Orpington Astronomical Society George Airy had designed and all, it is very clear to me that the almost 25 years ago, and whilst, performing the mathematical Society has flourished as much as it typically for a local group, it is reductions of transit observations has solely because of the enormous about half the present size of the using procedures Airy had devised. commitment of a small number of SHA it continues to flourish; I have Furthermore, most of the positional people, some of whom continue to the honour to be its President and instruments used by earlier bear an almost unsustainable burden. am still involved in some aspects of Astronomers Royal were hanging on We need more willing helpers to its management. In my professional the walls of the Transit Circle share the tasks that lie ahead. The life I was for some years Executive building. It was fascinating to Society has got off to a flying start; Secretary of a national body, the examine them in the intervals let us all pull together to build on Geological Society, responsible for between transit observations, and that foundation. overseeing all of its activities and its later to read up their history.

Society news Stuart Williams LRPS, FRAS, SHA Secretary

Following a meeting of the SHA journals to the Birmingham and new shelving, a large study table, a Council and Officers in Birmingham Midland Institute (BMI) earlier this desk and chairs, all at no cost to the on 13 November, a number of major year, with a view to making these SHA. The room also includes some decisions have been made that will substantial numbers of publications shelving for BMI reserve stock and define our activities in 2005, and more accessible for reference. Now, a desk for occasional use by the have implications for future years. I however, the BMI Administrator BMI’s President. Prior to our am also able to make a special and General Secretary Philip Fisher Council meeting on 13 November, announcement which is both has presented the SHA with a most members of Council and Officers of surprising and extremely exciting – gratifying and exciting surprise – the Society transferred the reference the founding of our new reference our own independent reference journals into the bright new room, library, which is first on the list of library and study facility within the and proceeded to hold a very news this issue. Institute itself! The Benson Room productive meeting in it, at which it had been considered as a distant was decided to name our new Sir Robert Ball Library possibility for our use, perhaps years reference library after a past founded at the BMI in the future when funding might be president of the BMI who will be found, but no more. The BMI has well known to all our members – Sir As you know, the SHA moved its now very kindly completely Robert Stawell Ball. main reference collections of refurbished the room and provided

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 2 November 2004 Sir Robert, often spoken of as ‘The http://www.williamherschel.org.uk/. forwarded to the appropriate Victorian Patrick Moore’, a prolific Future joint meetings with other Councillor or Officer for lecturer and author, former organisations will rotate venues consideration and a response. Astronomer Royal for Ireland, around the country to continue our Contact Stuart Williams at the Lowndean Professor of Astronomy policy of offering something to address given on the back page of and Geometry at the University of members in varied regions, and we this Newsletter. Cambridge and Director of the therefore hope to go north in 2006. University Observatory there, SHA website updated seemed the ideal person to honour May. SHA spring conference. This with the naming of our new event is the renamed AGM and Thanks are due to our webmaster, reference library bearing in mind his Lectures, along similar lines to the Greg Smye-Rumsby, for his sterling obvious links with both books and event held in 2004 and incorporating efforts in recently updating the the BMI. So now, the Sir Robert the Annual General Meeting. We Society website, located at: Ball Library of the Society for the hope to hold the meeting in http://www.shastro.org.uk. Greg, a History of Astronomy has been well Greenwich, subject to negotiation. professional designer, created the and truly founded in Birmingham, Precise date, details etc. to be new site for us, and it offers a and will be up and running as an announced. wonderful first point of contact for ongoing project in 2005, when a the many historians and enthusiasts reference collection of books has 2 July. SHA annual picnic. This who frequent the Internet, which been identified and transferred to the year our summer picnic returns to include the majority of our new facility. It is hoped that the Sir Wadham College, Oxford. Details members! All the latest news, most Robert Ball Library can be opened and date provisional, subject to recent announcements, and general both to card-carrying SHA and BMI negotiation. information about the SHA, members, and others by including meetings, contact details arrangement, on at least one 8 Oct. SHA autumn conference. of Councillors and Officers, etc. are Monday and one Saturday each The Autumn Conference will return on show within the site. Of special month, from the end of January to the BMI, which was such a interest are the pages dedicated to 2005. A formal opening may be successful venue in 2004, and this our national Survey of local possible in April, and details of this will become our regular venue for astronomy history, which includes and opening times and arrangements this annual event. The theme will be downloadable information on for use will be communicated to ‘Astronomers and Observatories.’ Counties and details of how to take members as soon as plans have been Date, details etc. to be confirmed. part in the survey. All research and finalised and a rota of volunteer staff information in this field is of interest organised. Thanks to the BMI, SHA Council meetings in to the SHA, so why not get in touch especially its Administrator and 2005 with Roger Jones, who co-ordinates General Secretary Mr Philip Fisher, the Survey, either by looking at the an exciting new chapter in the In addition to the Annual General relevant pages on the website or by history of the SHA has begun! Meeting, there will be three Council contacting him via the details on the meetings in 2005, with the following back page of this Newsletter? Society events in 2005 proposed dates and venues subject to confirmation: Newsletter goes quarterly There will be four main events in the SHA calendar for 2005, as follows. 12 February in Cambridge, Institute The SHA Newsletter, jointly edited Further details will be announced of Astronomy, by Clive Davenhall and David when finalised, with the membership 23 July in York, Yorkshire Museum, Rayner, will be published quarterly card issue in January. 12 November in Birmingham, BMI. from 2005, with the nominal publication dates being March, June, 5 March. Joint meeting with the Members may like to note that September and December. It has William Herschel Society in Bath. although Council meetings are not been decided by Council and the Times to be confirmed, probably 2 general meetings of the Society, Editors that a quarterly Newsletter pm – 5 pm, incorporating a joint Members may use them as an will be able to offer more to our programme of speakers. The opportunity to present something to members, be more timely in terms of William Herschel Society’s Annual Council in person, or if they wish, to news and announcements, allow Lecture will be held on the evening observe, subject to arrangement in wider options with content, and of 4 March, and their AGM on the advance with the Secretary. In all obviate the previous need for postal morning of 5 March. There will be cases, Members are also welcome to updates between issues. This time during that morning for SHA write to the Secretary at any time month’s issue of the Newsletter is a members to visit the William with any ideas, proposals, comments bumper one. The page count of the Herschel Museum if they wish. For or questions about the SHA and its quarterly will be variable, dependent details of the William Herschel business, and these will be Society see their website at SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 3 November 2004 on the amount of content available, The Treasurer, Ken Goward, columns. Such letters should include but will not be as large as the reported that a small loss of £26.06 the URL of the SHA’s website in present issue. Contributions, was made on the Autumn order to help raise the profile of the including letters and short snippets, Conference, and Council decided Society and the history of astronomy are welcome – for further details, that this was very acceptable bearing in general. Options were also contact the editors c/o Clive in mind what a fine event this discussed for changes to the SHA’s Davenhall, see the details on the meeting had proved to be. It was management, and it was concluded back page. concluded that attendance of more that following further consideration SHA Members and members of the by Council of any possible changes, Miscellaneous news from public should continue to be firm proposals would be presented Council encouraged, to not only cover costs to the SHA AGM in due course. fully but to raise funds in the future. At the SHA Council meeting on 13 Special thanks for 2004 November, it was also decided that The new SHA reference library is the Society’s Survey will be strongly reported elsewhere, and the SHA The end of the year – and the promoted in 2005, and that its name members’ lending library continues Festive Season – is traditionally a should be simplified. Full details of to offer an excellent facility for time for looking back on the past the Survey and copies of data members. The SHA library service twelve months, and they have received will in future be held both was voted a budget of £200 for certainly been both eventful and at our new Sir Robert Ball Library in 2005, and suggestions for affordable very enjoyable ones for the Society. Birmingham and the SHA Archive new stock as well as donations of It has been a year of accelerating in the Institute of Astronomy books are, as always, welcomed by progress, change, fascinating Library at Cambridge, to aid access our Librarian Madeline Cox. A meetings and a lot of hard work as to members and interested parties. library manual listing stock and well as great fun. On behalf of the Information packs on the Survey details of both our lending and SHA Council, I would like to offer will be distributed also to other reference libraries will be prepared special thanks to all those members prominent libraries, namely those of in 2005. who have helped with the Society’s the Royal Astronomical Society, work and the organisation, staffing Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Martin Lunn reported that outreach and running of its events, Royal Observatory Greenwich, to astronomical societies had gone publications programme and Armagh Observatory and the well throughout the year. It was website, as well as those who have Yorkshire Museum, to encourage decided that local history societies kindly provided their services as interest in the Survey and help to should increasingly be contacted in speakers at events, throughout 2004. forge formal links with those 2005, and that SHA members should Thank you also, as Members, for libraries. More members are needed be encouraged to point out your support of the Society this year, to take part in the Survey, which is interesting astronomical which we hope will continue in one of the SHA’s core activities. anniversaries and points of local 2005. astronomical interest to local and national newspapers via their letter Access to the ROE library Clive Davenhall The Librarian of the Royal The ROE has a very extensive The Observatory also houses the Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) has astronomical research library. It Crawford Collection, a donation kindly issued an invitation to SHA takes most astronomical journals from the twenty-sixth Earl of Members to use the Observatory's and usually has complete runs, often Crawford and one of the largest library. This offer is extended to all stretching back to the first volumes collections of historical astronomical SHA Members, but obviously is published in the nineteenth century. books in the world, comprising most likely to be useful to people It currently subscribes to the Journal some 15,000 items dating from the living in central and southern for the History of Astronomy and the thirteenth to the end of the Scotland or the northernmost parts Journal of Astronomical History and nineteenth century. It includes first of England. Members already have Heritage. It also has copies of series editions of most books important in access to the Society's own which, though now complete, the history of astronomy and related collection housed at the BMI in formerly carried historical material, fields, including Copernicus' De Birmingham and to the RAS library such as the Quarterly Journal of the Revolutionibus, Galileo's Sidereus at Burlington House, London. RAS and Vistas in Astronomy. In Nuncius and the Principia Consequently there are now addition there is an extensive Mathematica by Newton. collections which are reasonably collection of astronomical texts, accessible from a substantial including numerous historical ones. fraction of the UK. SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 4 November 2004 There is also an extensive collection http://www.roe.ac.uk/roe/library/ind brief and informal, may be of the Observatory's own archives. ex.html and follow the links: supervised and is solely at the Some further information is ‘Search the Main Library Catalogue’ discretion of the Librarian. available at URL: and ‘ROE Catalogue’. Members http://www.roe.ac.uk/roe/library/abo wishing to visit should contact the We are also considering organising a ut.html. Librarian, Karen Moran, in advance, Member's visit to the ROE, if there in order to avoid the possibility of a is sufficient interest. It would The Observatory's library operates wasted journey. Her contact details include a tour of the library, as a reference library and it is not are: [email protected], 0131-668- Crawford Collection, archives and normally possible to borrow items. 8395, The Librarian, Royal other items of historical interest and So, it is necessary to visit in order to Observatory, Blackford Hill, would probably take place on a consult items and the library is open Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ, UK. You Saturday afternoon. If you would be Monday to Friday. However, it is should bring your membership card interested in attending such an event possible to check in advance with you. Access to material from then please let me know. My e-mail whether an item is available by the Crawford Collection and address is [email protected] and my searching the on-line catalogue. Go archives is restricted. It will usually postal address appears on the back to the library’s home page at URL require some justification, albeit page. SHA Second annual picnic Stuart Williams LRPS, FRAS, SHA Secretary

With an enthusiastic attendance in the mid-thirties, on 3rd July 2004 the Society’s second Annual Picnic moved north to Woolsthorpe Manor, the seventeenth century Lincolnshire birthplace and home of Sir Isaac Newton.

Organised by SHA Librarian Madeline Cox, the event proved a great success despite the variable weather, and members had the opportunity to not only tour the wonderful old farmhouse and grounds but were also treated to a most enjoyable introductory talk by staff of the Manor, which is now in the care of the National Trust. Woolsthorpe Manor Closing remarks and thanks were made by the SHA's new Chairman, photographs inside the house and the Newton’s sundials - one on the Gilbert Satterthwaite. accompanying lack of worthwhile outside of the church, the other postcards (only of the fireplace!) on hidden away in a tight space behind Newton formulated some of his sale in the otherwise well-stocked the much later church organ! Truly, major works at Woolsthorpe Manor shop. a ‘Grand Day Out’ was had by all! during the Plague years (1665 - 67). An early edition of his Principia is Following an enforced on display, some of his indoor picnic (due to a mathematical graffiti survives on the sudden shower), which interior walls, and the orchard was nonetheless very includes a descendant of Newton’s pleasant, members famous apple tree. There is the travelled to the nearby ‘Young Newton’ exhibition in the church at Colsterworth house and the Science Discovery where Newton had been Centre in the barn. The restored Wet baptised, concluding the Kitchen shows where food was day with an enjoyable prepared for the household. introduction to the church’s history by the The only disappointment at the local church warden, and Newton’s sundial behind the organ Manor was the inability to take the viewing of two of SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 5 November 2004 SHA Annual General Meeting Stuart Williams LRPS, FRAS, SHA Secretary

Following an earlier change of plan Roger Jones’ astronomical guests, Mrs Angela Ambrose, and from a two-day event due to postcards) and traders, and its fine her mother Mrs Pamela Morris, insufficient support, the Society’s adjacent lecture theatre housed our respectively great-granddaughter main event - the annual AGM and AGM and a very enjoyable and and granddaughter of Sir Robert Conference - was split into two educational programme of lectures. Stawell Ball. Sir Robert, one-time separate one day events at different Lowndean Professor of Astronomy venues: the first being the AGM Those lectures included: A Brief and Geometry at Cambridge and and Lectures, and the second the History of the Cambridge IOA by Dr Director of the University new Autumn Conference held at the David Dewhirst of the IOA , Sir Observatory, was often called ‘The Birmingham and Midland Institute Robert Stawell Ball by SHA Victorian Patrick Moore’, and was (see the separate report elsewhere in Councillor Roger Jones, and The famed especially for his books and this Newsletter). Thanks to a lot of Real Caroline Herschel by Dr lectures. Roger Jones and Stuart hard work by Council, Officers and Michael Hoskin of Churchill Williams had the privilege of volunteers, and the enthusiastic College, Cambridge, Honorary Vice accompanying the Ball family to the support of our speakers, both events President of the SHA. nearby cemetery where the family were to prove highly successful. The were able to view Sir Robert’s grave AGM and Lectures were held at the A last minute addition was a most for the first time. Institute of Astronomy (IOA), interesting and welcome address by University of Cambridge on two guests from the USA, Saturday 22nd May 2004. distinguished astronomy historians Mr Bill Sheehan, a Contributing The AGM, which was well received Editor of Sky & Telescope by Members and produced some magazine, and Dr Craig Waff, who very useful decisions helping move are working with our own SHA the SHA forward, was very Councillor Dr Nicholas Kollerstrom appropriately staged in one of on aspects of the Neptune discovery Britain’s most historic homes of controversy (of which more in the professional astronomy, hosted as it report on our Autumn Conference). was by the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University. Due the good Apart from the lectures, there was offices of SHA Archivist Mark also the very popular opportunity to The great-granddaughter and Hurn, who is the Institute’s tour the old Institute and the granddaughter of Sir Robert S. Ball at his Librarian, and the management and associated Northumberland graveside staff of the Institute itself, we were Refractor, guided by Mark Hurn and able to use the very pleasant foyer of Jim Hysom. the modern Institute building for The AGM and Lectures made a fine lunches and teas as well as exhibits Last but not least, the icing on the start to the Society’s events for (including the SHA stand, Madeline cake of this most enjoyable event 2004, and an occasion which will be Cox’s SHA Lending Library and was the attendance of our special fondly remembered by all.

AGM group photograph

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 6 November 2004 A Warwickshire eclipse Mike Frost The accompanying figure shows a Finally, at the bottom of the map is physics textbook. But don’t forget rather beautiful map I found in the ‘The appearance at different times that Principia had been published Warwickshire county archives, in during ye eclipse’, showing the slow less than sixty years previously, and the County Record Office, at Priory progress of the Moon across the so the details of the theory of gravity Park in Warwick – ‘The Sun’s solar disk. Hidden in amongst these would be as unfamiliar to people Eclipse, Febr 18th 1736-7, delineated is the signature of (I presume) the then as, say, relativity or quantum for Coventry’. The original, rather map’s author, Hen. Beighton, July mechanics are to us today. larger than A4 size, is in ink and 1736. So this was a predictive map, water-colour. In the top left hand produced beforehand to show the Newton’s revolution came at a corner, the path of the Moon across expected path of the eclipse, rather convenient time for English eclipses. the Sun is shown. Where the two are than a description of what happened In the first quarter of the eighteenth superimposed, the Moon is darker after the event. century, southern England enjoyed shaded. It is clear that, first, the not one but two total solar eclipses Moon’s apparent size is less than the In the Record Office, I pored over within the space of ten years - in Sun’s – so this was not a total the map for some time, struck as April 1715 and May 1724. To eclipse. Moreover, from Coventry much by its beauty as a document as understand how rare this is, consider the eclipse was not central – there by the astronomy it features. But of that England has had only two total was never a point in time at which course the map suggests many eclipses in the succeeding three the Moon was completely questions. Who was Mr. Henry centuries – in 1927 and in 1999. superimposed on the Sun. We’ll see Beighton? Who did he produce the And now mathematicians had the later on that the eclipse was central map for? Was the map accurate? means to predict the path of these when viewed from further north, And was the eclipse observed, from two eclipses with unprecedented producing an annular eclipse. Coventry or anywhere else? accuracy.

In the top right hand corner are I can answer one question with some A number of astronomers took up various elements of the calculation. certainty. The map is in the papers the challenge, but the most The Sun was predicted to have a of Sir Roger Newdigate, of Arbury successful attempt was by Edmund radius of 16 minutes and 9 seconds Hall, Nuneaton. Some of you may Halley, who produced a famous map of arc; Sun and Moon together 30’ have visited this lovely stately predicting the track of totality, 29”; however the path of the Moon home, situated to the south west of across southern England, including was offset by 3’ 30” from the Sun’s Nuneaton. It features a stable with a London. April 22nd 1715 was a clear centre. The upshot was that, if the frontage designed by Sir Christopher day, and the total eclipse was widely Sun’s diameter was divided into Wren in 1674, one of his few observed. Halley described the solar twelve digits, just over ten-and-a- commissions outside London. corona, ‘a luminous ring, of a pale half of these would be obscured by However, Arbury Hall as we know it whiteness, or rather pearl colour, a the Moon at the time of maximum today was mostly modelled by Sir little tinged with the colours of the eclipse. Roger Newdigate during the Iris, and concentric with the Moon’. eighteenth century. He inherited After the eclipse, Halley collected Next come the local times for Arbury Hall at the age of 14 in 1734, accounts of the eclipse, and observing from Coventry, and the only 3 years before the eclipse. produced a more accurate map of Sun’s altitude and azimuth at these the eclipse track. The 1715 revised times. This was an afternoon eclipse, Other papers in the Newdigate map is the most accurate path of a beginning at 2:25 p.m. and ending collection, presumably produced by total eclipse track prior to the at 5:00 p.m, a duration of 2 hours 35 Newdigate himself, show that he twentieth century (the next step in minutes. The date also deserves struggled to grasp the fundamentals accuracy occurred in 1925 when the comment. First of all, it is prior to of astronomy. There are pages of path of totality crossed over the change from Julian to Gregorian exercises in his papers, showing the Manhattan, enabling the totality calendar in 1752, so 11 days have to solar system, and reproducing basic track to be narrowed down to be added to give a date in the new propositions from Isaac Newton’s individual blocks in the city), and is (current) style, of March 1st, which Principia Mathematica, for example of great use to scientists who want to is when the eclipse is recorded in the parabolic motion of a projectile estimate how much the Earth’s some reference books. Note also that under gravity, or the tidal bulge rotation period has changed by the year is described as 1736-7, as caused by the attraction of the during the last three centuries. the new year was considered to Moon. From a viewpoint three begin on March 25th (this is why our centuries on, these are very tax year still begins on April 5th, 11 straightforward calculations, the days on from March 25th). kind of thing you would find in any

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 7 November 2004 The 1724 eclipse was not total over London (the track crossed South Wales and the south-west of England) and was not as well observed as the 1715 eclipse. Dr Stukeley, the noted antiquary, observed it from Haraden Hill, near Salisbury, and reported that the spectacle was ‘beyond all that he had ever seen or could picture to his imagination the most solemn’.

Halley was by no means the only astronomer to produce eclipse maps. The maps fall in to two general types: eclipse track maps, such as Halley’s, which show all the locations where an eclipse will be total or annular, and maps such as Beighton’s showing the view to be seen at a particular location. Both types of map were produced for the 1737 eclipse (see, for example, Armitage). George Smith, of York, produced a rather wonky map showing the entire track of the eclipse across the Atlantic and into Europe. John Haynes and Thomas Wright produced rather less ambitious but more precise maps showing the track across Britain. Both Haynes and Wright predicted that the 1737 eclipse would be annular over the far north of England and lowland Scotland. It is clear that Henry Beighton’s predictions of a deep partial eclipse were accurate. Henry Beighton’s map of the 1736 eclipse as seen from Coventry. So, Henry Beighton was one of several mathematicians to predict the death of his friend John Tipper, a collieries to pump water out of the the circumstances of the annular Coventry schoolmaster. The Ladies’ mines. In April 1714, three eclipse of 1737. Do we know Diary was a journal that featured a Midlands entrepreneurs, Richard anything more about him? I hadn’t variety of mathematical features and and Stonier Parrott and George heard of him prior to researching puzzles, often set by Beighton Sparrow, employed Thomas this article, but he turns out to be a himself. Beighton, who edited the Newcomen, builder of the first remarkable and versatile man. He magazine anonymously for many industrial steam engine, to build his th was born on 20 August 1687 (some years, was determined to produce a second steam engine for the Griff authors say 1686) in Chilvers Coton, journal of more substance than the colliery, on land in the Newdigate a hamlet to the south of Nuneaton. almanacs of the day, which were estates. Henry Beighton may well His family were yeomen, holders of more Old Moore’s than Whittaker’s have been involved in this project; land in Griff, between Bedworth and in tone. Under Beighton’s editorship certainly in 1717 Beighton himself Nuneaton. So Beighton was a the Ladies’ Diary became one of the built a Newcomen steam engine at landowner, but not of substantial leading mathematical journals of the Oxclose Colliery, Washington Fell, estates. Fortunately he was able to day. in County Durham. A picture of this supplement his less than impressive engine, drawn by Beighton, still estate income with an impressive Beighton’s skills were not just exists, entitled ‘The Engine for variety of other accomplishments. theoretical. In 1711, he suggested Raising Water (with a power made) that the new technology of the steam by Fire’. It is the earliest known In 1713, Beighton took over the engine could be used in local drawing of a steam engine. editorship of the Ladies’ Diary on SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 8 November 2004 Also in 1717, Beighton made who had risen from relatively low Alas, I have no idea what happened calculations on the diameter of social standing to achieve business in Warwickshire! I made a second pump barrel and steam cylinder success, engineering brilliance, visit to the County Record Office needed to pump water from different editorship of a respected when I spotted that among the depths. These were published in the mathematical journal, and a Newdigate papers, there is also a Ladies’ Diary. In 1720 Henry reputation as the finest surveyor in diary covering the period 1736- Beighton was elected to a the country. Roger Newdigate was 1743. Unfortunately, this diary turns Fellowship of the Royal Society. sixteen years old, recently installed out to be a very perfunctory record as the lord of Arbury Hall, a of the period, with no entries at all Between 1722 and 1725, Beighton precocious (one suspects) young for February 1737. It would appear surveyed the county of man with big ideas and the world at that Newdigate was at Arbury Hall Warwickshire in unprecedented his feet. One can imagine Beighton during this time; the entry for March detail, to draw one of the first securing the gratitude of his 1st 1737 records a move from county maps produced in England, aristocratic young friend with the Arbury to Astley, a nearby manor. and certainly the most accurate to gift of a map to trace the that time. Beighton used forthcoming eclipse. There is no clue as to whether trigonometrical surveying Newdigate or Beighton attempted to techniques, common in France, but Roger Newdigate went on to study observe the eclipse, or if the weather new to England. In the pages of the at Oxford and make a Grand Tour of helped or hindered them. But I hope Ladies’ Diary, he advertised his map Europe, before becoming a Member Henry Beighton and Roger for several years, hoping to finance of Parliament. Despite representing Newdigate saw their eclipse! his surveying and printing costs by Middlesex, he spent all but three advance orders; the map was finally months of each year in Arbury Hall, Acknowledgements: published in 1729. his pride and joy, and in later years was increasingly reluctant to leave The descendants of the Newdigates Around this time, Beighton began a the estate. He was lord of the manor who kindly gave permission to business relationship with Sir at Arbury for seventy-two years, and reproduce the eclipse map from the Richard Newdigate, Roger completely remodelled the hall, family archives. The staff of the Newdigate’s father. It isn’t clear to room by room, producing one of the Warwickshire Record Office for me exactly what this entailed: one finest examples of Gothic their assistance. Chris Hicks of source (Rolt & Allen) suggests that architecture in Britain. Henry Rugby Local History Group (a Henry Beighton, in partnership with Beighton, on the other hand, died colleague at work) who educated me his mother, leased collieries from only six years after the eclipse, in on the many accomplishments of Newdigate senior; another author 1743, and was buried at Chilvers Henry Beighton. (White) cites a report from Beighton Coton. to Lady Newdigate suggesting that collieries should be closed down. One final question remains – what Sources and further reading: However, it does appear that was the weather like on eclipse day? Beighton acted as friend and advisor The annular eclipse was certainly Henry Beighton’s eclipse map has to Newdigate senior. seen from Scotland. The Scottish classification CR136/B2551 in the mathematician Colin Maclaurin Warwickshire Records; the prospect So, we know that Henry Beighton reported that ‘A little before the of Arbury Hall is CR1199/70, the was an accomplished surveyor and annulus was complete, a remarkable ground plan is CR270/7, and engineer. In the Newdigate papers, point or speck of pale light appeared Beighton’s notes on Lunar and there are also a ground plan and a near the middle part of the Moon’s Quadrant measurements are prospect (both in poor condition) of circumference that was not yet come CR136/B3026. Newdigate’s diary is Arbury Hall, drawn by Beighton in upon the disc of the Sun… During CR136/B3015/1. 1708. Additionally, there are notes the appearance of the annulus the by Beighton on The Use of the direct light of the Sun was still very The shadow of the moon (British Moon’s Instrument and The Use of considerable, but the places that solar eclipse mapping in the the Quadrant – both practical were shaded from this light appeared eighteenth century), Geoff Armitage instructions for surveying the gloomy. There was a dusk in the (Map Collector Publications, 1997) heavens. So perhaps it’s no surprise atmosphere, especially towards the that Beighton should turn his hand north and east. In those chambers The Steam Engine of Thomas to mapping the eclipse for Roger, that had not their lights westwards Newcomen, L.T.C. Rolt and J.S. the son of his late friend Richard the obscurity was considerable. Allen (Moorland, 1997) Newdigate. Venus appeared plainly, and continued visible long after the At the time of the 1737 eclipse annulus was dissolved, and I am told Henry Beighton was forty-nine that other stars were seen by some’. years of age, a self-educated man SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 9 November 2004 Men and Mines in Warwickshire, Marketing Mathematics in Early Eclipses from Year 1, Sheridan A.W.A. White (Coventry Branch of Eighteenth-Century England: Henry Williams (Clock Tower Press, 1996) the Historical Association, 1970) Beighton, Certainty, and the Public Sphere, Shelley Costa (History of There is a concise history of Arbury Maps and Plans for the Local Science xl, 2002) Hall at Historian and Collector, David www.heritage.me.uk/houses/arbury. Smith (Batsford) The Halley, Stukeley and Maclaurin htm quotes are taken from UK Solar SHA autumn conference Clive Davenhall The Society’s first autumn Institute. He also had a strong hand conference was held on Saturday 9 in the formation of the Midland October 2004. It was jointly hosted Branch of the British Astronomical with the Birmingham and Midland Association, which met in Institute (BMI), to which the SHA is Birmingham for a few short years affiliated, and held in the BMI’s from 1901. historic premises in central Birmingham. Registration began at Robinson gave a talk entitled Life in 11:00 am, with the programme Other Worlds at the last BAA proper starting at 11:30, though the Midland Branch meeting for 1901, vagaries of the railway system made on 12th December, and the BAA several people late. The talks were Reports describe that evening’s held in the Dickens Room, with presentation as being ‘devoted to a refreshments and posters in the very able and philosophical treatise nearby John Peek Room. by Mr. W.H. Robinson, F.R.A.S., on the problem of life-conditions and possibilities from an astronomical standpoint.’ Fortunately, at the request of the members of the SHA Chairman Gilbert Satterthwaite introduces the meeting Midland Branch, Robinson printed and circulated his lecture as a Lindsay, later the twenty-sixth Earl booklet, copies of which have of Crawford, organised and funded survived. Mr Williams has made a an independent expedition to special study of Robinson's life and Mauritius to observe the 1874 transit works. Appropriately dressed in of Venus, and supported a Victorian costume, he gave a Government expedition to Jamaica historical re-enactment of the to observe the 1882 transit. Both lecture, in the persona of W. H. expeditions were successful in the Robinson! The talk offered a sense that the transits were fascinating and entertaining observed. However, in common snapshot of current thinking around with other expeditions, the results Stuart Williams, SHA Secretary, dressed the turn of the last century on the were disappointing because they did for the part, recreates the lecture Life in Other Worlds, originally given in possibilities for life in the Solar not allow an improved Birmingham in 1901 by W.H. Robinson. System and beyond, within the determination of the solar parallax limitations of the observational and hence the astronomical unit. The first talk was Life in Other knowledge of the time and Nonetheless both expeditions Worlds by SHA Secretary Stuart illuminated by Robinson's own achieved important auxiliary results, Williams. This talk was a re- scientifically enlightened religious unconnected with the transits. enactment of a talk given in convictions. During the 1874 expedition David Birmingham in 1901 by William Gill determined the parallax of the Henry Robinson, FRAS, a The next speaker was Clive minor planet Juno. Paradoxically, prominent Victorian businessman, Davenhall talking on Lord Lindsay's this result did lead to a more author, newspaper editor and Transit Expeditions of 1874 and accurate determination of the publisher from Walsall (then in 1882. The recent transit of Venus astronomical unit, and parallax Staffordshire, now part of the West during the summer has caused a measurements of minor planets Midlands). Robinson was a prime resurgence of interest in previous remained the preferred method of mover in bringing public astronomy transit expeditions and this talk was determining the astronomical unit lectures to Walsall through his the first of two on the subject. Lord until the introduction of radar Secretaryship of the Walsall Literary SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 10 November 2004 methods in the second half of the Greeks first realised the sphericity of The last speaker before the break for twentieth century. the Earth (a notion usually attributed refreshments was Peter Hingley, the to the semi-mythical Pythagorus) RAS Librarian. He gave a typically In 1882 Ralph Copeland took and applied geometrical ideas to spirited and lively presentation on advantage of Jamaica's geographical planetary motion. They also evolved Transits of Venus – the Big Picture, location to visit South America, a powerful, predictive method the second of the two talks on the where he repeated Piazzi Smyth's involving a complex system of transits of Venus. The talk was an investigations into the suitability of epicycles but, perhaps partly overview of the international high mountain sites for making because of the influence of Aristotle, campaigns to observe the transits of astronomical observations. He based on a geocentric model. Late in Venus in 1874 and 1884 in order to confirmed Smyth's result that such Classical Antiquity this scheme was improve the determination of the sites could offer excellent observing systematised in Ptolemy’s Almagest astronomical unit. All the great conditions and, but for unforeseen and it remained dominant until the maritime nations, and some smaller developments at home (which led to Renaissance, when Copernicus ones, took part. Expeditions the move of Edinburgh’s Royal introduced a simpler heliocentric travelled to over eighty locations, Observatory to its present site on theory. Kepler replaced circular some in very obscure parts of the Blackford Hill), this work would orbits with elliptical ones and world. These expeditions probably have led to the a British Newton provided a theoretical represented a substantial investment high altitude observatory being understanding of planetary motion. of money and effort by the nations established in South America during that took part. They should be seen the closing decades of the nineteenth The Royal Observatory Greenwich as not just part of the history of century. was founded in 1675 and astronomy (the effort to refine the generations of Astronomers Royal, measurement of the astronomical Following this talk the meeting their assistants and their peers unit using transits of Venus was a adjourned for lunch, during which overseas, patiently amassed the failure), but in the wider context of there was an opportunity to join observations needed to calculate international co-operation and tours of the BMI library, including accurate planetary positions. In the rivalry, maritime history, the secure stacks where the nineteenth century, traditional, exploration and social history. Many Society’s reference collection is classical positional astronomy of the expeditions performed held. culminated with the work of Sir important ancillary investigations George Airy at Greenwich and ‘while they were going.’ The meeting resumed with First Simon Newcomb at the United Find Your Planet by SHA Chairman States Naval Observatory. The talk featured material from the Gilbert Satterthwaite. To observe or RAS collections, particularly that dispatch a spacecraft to a planet relating to the British expeditions requires a precise knowledge of its led by Father Stephen Perry S.J. to position and the ability to accurately Kerguelen Island in the Indian predict its future location. This Ocean and to Madagascar. The RAS knowledge is taken for granted archive has an album containing today, but it has not always been numerous cartoons illuminating available. Predicting the positions humorous events during these of the planets against the expeditions and a second album, background of the fixed stars was containing photographs from the the ‘grand theme’ of astronomy expeditions, has recently been from the origins of mathematical donated. There is an extensive astronomy in ancient Mesopotamia literature on the transits, but it is and later Classical Greece until the very fragmented, making research in rise of astrophysics in the second the field deeply frustrating. half of the nineteenth century. However, there are many important Various schemes, theories and aspects waiting to be researched and methods for predicting planetary many interesting characters waiting positions were tried and discarded. Sir George Biddell Airy (1801 - 92), the to be rescued from obscurity. The In a sense this enterprise concluded seventh Astronomer Royal. The talk ended with a sidelong glance at presence of Sir George Airy was felt in with the use of special relativity to several of the talks. He directed the work a one or two slightly dubious artistic explain anomalies in the motion of of the Royal Observatory Greenwich for representations of the transits. Mercury early in the twentieth much of the nineteenth century, century. organised the British expeditions to Following Mr Hingley’s talk there observe the transits of Venus and was was a break for refreshments, after one of the dramatis personae in the The talk presented a whirlwind tour controversy over the discovery of which SHA Councillor Nicholas of the development of ideas of Neptune. Kollerstrom spoke on planetary motion. The Classical SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 11 November 2004 New Light on the British Case for complete he hoped to return to The first space probes sent to Mars Co-Discovery of Neptune. The story working on Sir George Airy, who in the 1960s shattered notions of of the discovery of Neptune is well- had featured in several presentations Mars as an abode for life, revealing known. In 1846 Urbain Leverrier during the day. a cratered world more like the Moon predicted the position of Neptune than the Earth, though to an extent from the perturbations observed in The final speaker was Andrew the pendulum has now swung back the motion of Uranus. He sent his Lound, the UK Co-ordinator of the and liquid water is now known to predicted position to Galle in Berlin, Planetary Society. He was also have once flowed on the Martian where it was found after observing dressed in Victorian apparel, though surface. The talk, and the meeting, for half an hour. Subsequently it his presentation was bang up to date, was brought to a conclusion by transpired that Cambridge with impressive computer-generated anticipating the time when Mars University Observatory had been slides, music and sound-effects; an would be colonised. searching for the planet for six Odyssey class lecture in the weeks but without success. British terminology of the Planetary The conference was a successful and sources then started to claim that Society. His talk, Red Dawn, enjoyable day, with presentations on John Couch Adams, a young covered the growing understanding a wide variety of topics. I would like Cambridge mathematician, had of Mars from antiquity to the to thank the other speakers and also made an independent prediction of present. It started with the the SHA Chairman Gilbert the position. Had he made such a mythology of the god of war and Satterthwaite for chairing the prediction? If he made a prediction, described how the Red Planet’s but failed to publish it, does he periodic waxings and wainings in deserve credit as a co-discoverer? brightness were feared as harbingers Much information on the British of conflict. side of this controversy resides in the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s After the invention of the telescope ‘Neptune File.’ This file has never markings were soon seen on the been made public and was thought Martian disk. The ‘first drawing of to have been lost. However, in 1999 Mars worth the name’ (to quote it reappeared in Chile amongst the Percival Lowell) was Christiaan effects of the late Olin Eggen. In Huygens’ sketch of the ‘Hourglass collaboration with his colleagues Sea’ (Syrtis Major) made in 1659. William Sheehan and Craig Waff, For the next couple of centuries Dr Kollerstrom has been studying there were sporadic attempts to map the contents of the Neptune file and the surface, resulting in the he gave a fascinating progress report reasonably detailed maps of Beer on their findings. and Mädler in the mid-nineteenth century. Between 1877 and 1890 the There was then a change to the Italian astronomer G.V. Schiaparelli programme. Prof. Allan Chapman, published a series of detailed SHA Hon President Dr. Allan Chapman the Honorary President of the SHA, Martian maps annotated with this delivers his concluding remarks. was due to close the meeting with a enduring and beautiful nomenclature few concluding remarks. However, and, less happily, he introduced the meeting. Thanks are also due to Ken he had to leave early (the final infamous canals. Partly as a result of Goward, Garry Coleman, Roger programme had a later finish than Percival Lowell’s forceful advocacy, Jones, Madeline Cox and Les Jepson preliminary versions had the notion that the canals were who helped with various aspects of anticipated). So Prof. Chapman gave artificial works of civil engineering running the meeting. Special thanks his concluding remarks before the became widespread, and life on are due to Philip and Susanne Fisher last talk, thanking all the speakers Mars became a common theme of of the BMI who kindly conducted and expressing his satisfaction that popular culture in the late nineteenth the tour of the library. Philip Fisher the SHA was thriving. He and early twentieth century. It was and Martin Boyle, also of the BMI, mentioned three recent books which reflected in novels such as H.G. were of invaluable assistance in had impressed him and in which he Wells’ War of the Worlds, which organising the event. Thanks also go thought SHA members might be was, of course, later adapted by to The Planetary Society, Knowle interested (details of these books are Orson Welles into a radio play Astronomical Society and South given in the Books noticed column). which caused panic when broadcast Staffordshire Astronomical Society, He also mentioned that his own in the United States. who all put on displays and several biography of Robert Hooke was of whose members supported the nearly finished and that once it was event by buying tickets.

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 12 November 2004 The English Mechanic Newspaper Eric Hutton

The English Mechanic and World of My aim is to produce facsimile years to complete this stage of the Science was a weekly newspaper copies of each volume on CD and project. There are many additional which first appeared in March 1865 DVD and make them available to tasks that members of the SHA may and continued in the same form until SHA members either by selling wish to assist with. To name but a 1926. Normally seen as bound copies at a nominal cost, or by few: finding real names for pen- volumes with an index (issued as a contributing copies to the SHA names, producing topic supplement), each volume contained library. While I have been collecting bibliographies; a series index and 26 weekly issues. Although not odd volumes over the years, I have guidance notes for searching the apparent from the title, astronomical recently acquired a large run of PDF versions. At this stage I have topics made up a good fraction of volumes, which has prompted this just two sample CDs; if anyone the articles and letters, 12% in a project to start. would like copies, send me two first sampled volume. The journal was class stamps. I would also like to unusual in that it relied on its readers Because of the size of the project, hear from anyone who can help with to provide the vast majority of its over 60,000 pages, I intend to limit locating the volumes I am missing: content. Over half of a typical issue myself to scanning and 21 to 27, 29 to 33, 84, 89 and 115. I of 24 pages would be taken up by automatically character-recognising can be contacted at 29, Paternoster correspondents’ letters, shorter each volume, and then publishing Close, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 ‘queries’ and answers to previous the resulting documents as PDF 3JU, e-mail [email protected]. queries. files. If I manage to complete one volume a week it will take over two Centenary (1904-2004) of the interpretation of the P Cygni profile Peredur Williams

The P Cygni line profile is a broad Lecturer in Astronomy in the emission feature with a blue-shifted University of Edinburgh and absorption component which is seen Assistant Astronomer at the Royal in the spectra of some stars. The Observatory (Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin. name arose because the effect is 25, p513, 1904). prominent in the spectrum of P Cygni. The feature is formed in Halm based his analysis on stellar winds and ejecta expanding spectroscopy of the bright Nova from stars. Modelling its shape is a Persei 1901 by Campbell and valuable diagnostic of the velocity Wright at Lick (Lick Obs. Bull. 8) and density structure of outflowing and Becker in Glasgow (Trans. Roy. material. The effect was first Soc. Edin. 41, p251). The spectra interpreted in a paper read to the showed broad, complex bands Royal Society of Edinburgh in whose structures were the same and November 1904 by Jacob Halm, scaled with central wavelength. Halm argued that these complex Halm's illustration of the formation of bands could not what we now call a P Cygni profile: result from the observer is at E. The expanding chemical or material is responsible for the broad emission while that, ADD'A', in the physical line of sight causes the blue-shifted properties of the absorption. Note that the effect gases, or occurs irrespective of the direction abnormal from which the nova is observed. refraction, but could only result on the more refrangible (i.e. violet) from motion in side of the broad emission feature the line of sight. could be produced if the central star He showed how was hotter than the surrounding the classic profile expanding material. having absorption SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 13 November 2004 Old and new Venus transits seen from Lancashire Clive Davenhall As most people reading this Newsletter will be well aware, on Tuesday 8 June 2004 there was a transit of Venus across the disk of the Sun, the first such event since 1882. There will be another in 2012 but only the egress will be visible from the UK. The first observations of a transit of Venus were made in 1639 by the young English astronomer and mathematician Jeremiah Horrocks, observing from the small Lancashire village of Much Hoole. Viewing the Transit from Alston Observatory In early June I attended IAU famously wait for no man, so the time took us to Carr House, from Colloquium 196: Transits of Venus: morning of Tuesday 8 June started which Jeremiah Horrocks made the New Views of the Solar System and early. Many of the people attending first observations of a Venus transit. Galaxy which was arranged both to the colloquium were staying in the Carr House was built by the Stones coincide with this year’s transit and University’s Roeburn Hall, so we family, who were prominent in the to commemorate the first one to be assembled in the Hall car park at area, and in 1639 they still occupied observed. It was hosted by the 5:15 am, to board coaches to take us it. Horrocks probably worked as a University of Central Lancashire in to the University’s Alston tutor to their children, or in some Preston, just a few miles down the Observatory, about eight miles north similar capacity. Carr House is now road from Much Hoole. The east of Preston. At the Observatory privately owned, but the owners had conference theme was deliberately various small telescopes had been very generously agreed to open it to something of a mixed bag, set up for viewing the transit both visitors on the morning of the including: studies of historical directly and by projection. There transit. There was also a BBC transit observations, modern studies were also the inevitable Internet outside broadcast team in attendance of transits of extra-solar system links for viewing remotely in case of and various visitors not connected planets, solar system dynamics, bad weather. And, indeed, a first the with the Colloquium. We decamped stellar parallax and galactic weather was marginal, with plenty into a meadow alongside the house, structure. of cloud and the Sun largely where there were more telescopes obscured. However, a minute or so for further viewing of the transit. The conference took place over the after first contact at 6:20 am fortune From there we were taken into the week of Monday 7 June to Friday smiled and the clouds rolled away house in small groups (all that the 11, but the morning of Tuesday 8 from the solar disk. The view limited space would allow) and saw was set aside for observing the remained mostly clear for the rest of the room, and probably the very transit and a visit to the site of the morning, and, indeed, the day window, from which Horrocks made Jeremiah Horrocks’ observations in became increasingly sunny as it his observations. Much Hoole. This article is a wore on. We got a good view of the description of that morning’s events ingress of Venus and its subsequent Once everyone had seen Carr House rather than a report of the progress across the solar disk. Once it was back on the coaches for the conference as a whole. ingress was complete there was a short trip to St Michael’s Church. Time and celestial mechanics diversion to the nearby Alston Hall, Jeremiah Horrocks, a young man a lovely Victorian probably of puritan inclinations, building from where the certainly worshipped in St Michael’s University runs residential and was probably a lay Bible reader courses, where we were there. The Church was built in 1628, served some welcome also by the Stones family. It is a breakfast. Then it was beautiful old building in a back to the Observatory picturesque setting. Inside there is a for further viewing. memorial plaque to Horrocks and three stained glass windows Around 9:00 am, or just commemorating him. after, we re-embarked on Carr House the coaches, which this

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 14 November 2004 to Preston for some to observe the 1874 and 1882 lunch and a well- transits. Eight well equipped deserved rest. expeditions, relying primarily on photographic methods, were In the space dispatched for each transit. Christine available here it is Allen spoke on the Mexican not possible to give expedition which observed the 1874 a summary of all transit from two stations near the talks given at Yokohama in Japan. This expedition the conference, and was the first overseas scientific the modern material expedition undertaken by a Latin is outside the scope American country. Mikhail Marov of the Newsletter. described how Mikhail Lomonosov, St Michael’s Church, Much Hoole However, it is observing from St Petersburg, worth briefly discovered the cytherean atmosphere One panel of the east window in the mentioning the historical during the 1761 transit. sanctuary shows Horrocks observing presentations. SHA Honorary the Sun projected onto a sheet (an President Allan Chapman spoke on There was one historical talk that inaccurate representation as he Jeremiah Horrocks and SHA was not about transit observations. actually used a paper screen). Council Member Nicholas Brian Warner described the Kollerstrom talked about Horrocks’ observations made by Thomas friend William Crabtree, who also Henderson at the Cape of Good observed the 1639 transit. John Hope from which he as able to Walton, a historian at the University measure the parallax of alpha of Central Lancashire, described the Centauri, though he did not reduce social background to life in his data until after Bessel had Lancashire in the 1630s, as England measured the first stellar parallax for drifted towards civil war. Suzanne 61 Cygni. Débarbat gave an overview of the observations and analyses of Venus Amongst the non-historical papers transits made by French there was one by Jay Pasachoff astronomers, starting with Pierre (presented by Don Kurtz because the Gassendi, who in 1631 made the author could not be present) on the first successful transit observation black-drop effect. This effect has when he observed a transit of long bedevilled transit observations Mercury. Wayne Orchiston spoke by preventing the accurate timing of on Captain Cooke’s 1769 expedition the instants of ingress and egress. to Tahiti. Robert van Gent The talk presented an explanation of described the observations of the the effect in terms of solar limb One of the windows in St Michael’s 1761 and 1769 transits made by the darkening and the finite resolution Church commemorating Horrocks, who is Dutch-German clergyman Johan of optical instruments. shown observing the transit. Maurits Mohr from Batavia in the Two consecutive roundels in the Dutch East Indies. Luisa Pigatto The morning of the transit was a north side of the nave were added in spoke on the dispute between very enjoyable and memorable event 1874 and 2004. St Michael’s had Giovanni-Battista Audiffredi and in an informative and enjoyable organised several activities to Alexandre-Gui Pingré over the conference. It only remains to thank celebrate the transit. There was a observations of the 1761 transit the various organisations and people magnificent floral display which which the former made from the who made it possible: the IAU under complemented the many stained Monastery of St Maria sopra whose aegis the meeting was glass windows, telescopes for Minerva in Rome. John Butler organised; the University of Central additional viewing and a marquee reviewed the few transit Lancashire and in particular selling mementoes and observations made in Ireland during Professors Gordon Bromage and refreshments; the people attending the eighteenth century, particularly Don Kurtz; Clive and Jane Elphick, the conference were only a few of those of the 1769 transit made by the current owners of Carr House, the many visitors. Finally, after Charles Mason, and considered their who kindly opened their home to fourth contact and egress at about contribution to the development of visitors, and the Rector, the Rev 12:20 pm we got back on the astronomy in Ireland. Steven Dick Stephen Hughes, and PCC of St coaches for a final time and returned described the American expeditions Michael’s Church who organised a successful event.

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 15 November 2004 Book reviews

I. Ridpath (editor). Oxford Chris Daniel is the country’s designed by the author himself), but dictionary of astronomy. Revised acknowledged authority on the also pointing out features of edition, Oxford University Press, subject, being a foremost designer of particular interest. 2003 (Oxford paperback Reference) sundials and Chairman of the British ISBN 0198605137, £8.00. Sundial Society, and having had I expect that most readers will be over twenty years experience at the casual ones, wanting to learn more This book is the second edition of National Maritime Museum in about the design of garden sundials, the acclaimed dictionary of Greenwich. His enthusiasm and and those found on buildings, and astronomy first published in 1997. deep knowledge of his subject shine their significance. Some may be Its contributors include our own through this book, which is a daunted by the equation of time John Woodruff, and complete revision of the 1986 graph which appears at the acknowledgement is made to edition, published in the popular beginning of the book, by the another SHA member, Peter Shire series. technical introduction, which Hingley, Librarian at the Royal includes terms such as ‘procline’ Astronomical Society. The book’s purpose, as stated in the and ‘deincline’, the explanatory Introduction, is ‘to help people to diagrams, and the detailed technical With over 4000 entries it covers all know what to look for and to descriptions. A glossary might have topics likely to be of interest to both understand what they are looking at been helpful. professional and amateur when they find it.’ The emphasis is astronomers. It is comprehensive on historical and interesting sundials For anyone interested in and up-to-date (for example, Beagle which may be found on buildings, in astronomical history, however, and 2 is listed). The main figures in public spaces and gardens, and curious about sundials generally, astronomical history are noted, which illustrate the various types of this book will provide much along with their achievements. dial and aspects of dialling. information and whet the appetite for more. As a sundial enthusiast There are several similar After an introduction, there is an myself, I can vouch for the pleasure publications available (for example, excellent chapter on the history and to be had in discovering historic those from Cambridge University development of sundials, and each sundials and new designs, and have Press, Penguin and Collins) but this type of dial is then dealt with in no hesitation in recommending this has to be numbered amongst the separate chapters; vertical, multiple, excellent introduction to the subject. best. Highly recommended. horizontal, equinoctial, polar and others. Unfortunately, the book does David Le Conte This copy was kindly donated to the not deal with portable dials, many of Library by the publishers. which may be found in museums, and which undoubtedly warrant a Madeline Cox similar treatise. There are, however, lists of books for further reading, sundial makers, and places to Christopher St J.H. Daniel. Sundials. visit, and there is a Second edition, Shire Publications, useful index. 2004, ISBN: 074780558X, £5.99. Books The book is NEW ASTRONOMY BOOKS Time, astronomy and navigation attractively produced, AT DISCOUNTED PRICES share an inherent relationship, which and copiously AND is nowhere more evident than in the illustrated in colour. SECONDHAND ASTRONOMY BOOKS design of sundials. The subject has Indeed, it might be its own discipline: the science of appreciated for its Martin Lunn MBE gnomics, or, if you prefer, the art of illustrations alone. 6 Evelyn Crescent dialling. Indeed, the latter term, They are Clifton which is that preferred in Britain, is accompanied by York now probably even more detailed captions, YO3O 6DR appropriate, as the results of sundial describing not only TEL/FAX 01904 337989 science are largely appreciated from the type of dial, its www.aurora-books-uk.co.uk an aesthetic standpoint. location, date and E-mail: [email protected] maker (many

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 16 November 2004 Books noticed Clive Davenhall and Madeline Cox

This column lists some recently Scottish mathematician and available: Gerald S. Hawkins and published books which might be of astronomer Mary Somerville: Mary Hubert A. Allen Jr, Stonehenge interest. Listing here does not Somerville and the World of Science Earth and Sky (Wessex Books: preclude a review at a later date. The (Canopus Publishing: London, Salisbury, 2004), £5.99, 48 pages, three books mentioned by Prof. 2004) £12.95, 176 pages, hardcover. softcover. It is set at an introductory Allan Chapman during his level and is perhaps aimed at older concluding remarks to the recent children. There are many high- SHA Autumn Conference (see the quality photographs and article elsewhere in this illustrations, some in colour. Newsletter) were: Wessex Books can be contacted at Wessex Books, 2 Station Cottages, Peter Aughton, The Transit of Newton Toney, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Venus: The Brief, Brilliant Life of SP4 0HD or see Jeremiah Horrocks, Father of http://www.wessexbooks.co.uk/mai British Astronomy (Weidenfeld & npage.htm. Nicholson: London, 2004), £18.99, 250 pages, hardcover. Springer (Berlin) have recently republished Otto Neugebauer’s William Tobin, The Life and classic work A History of Ancient Science of Leon Foucault: The Mathematical Astronomy, originally Man Who Proved the Earth published in 1975 (1456 pages 619 Rotates (Cambridge University Mary Somerville (1780 - 1872) illustrations, 9 plates, 1 fold-out, in Press, 2003), £40.00, 352 pages, 3 parts, October 2004). See hardcover. A book about the transits of Venus http://www.springeronline.com/3- is Eli Maor's Venus in Transit 540-06995-X. This work is an Michael Chauvin, Hokuloa: The (Princeton University Press, Oxford, important and authoritative text and British 1874 Transit of Venus 2003), £11.95, 195 pages, softcover. its reissue is welcome. However, at Expedition to Hawai’i (Bishop a price of about £230 it is unlikely to Museum Press: Honolulu, 2004), The last issue of the Newsletter (No. find many private buyers. A copy of about £15, 262 pages, softcover. 4, May 2004, p7) mentioned that the the original 1975 edition is available last book by Gerald Hawkins, who in the ROE library. Prof Chapman himself has recently sadly died last year, was to be published a biography of the published shortly. It is now Library report November 2004 Madeline Cox, Librarian

Move to the BMI Treasurer, Ken Goward, and the Kilburn for a collection that has just books for loan are still with me. A been received but not yet sorted. As Most of our journals have now been small collection of books was always, we thank our donors most moved to the BMI in Birmingham, donated to the BMI for their own sincerely for their generosity. where they are available for collection. consultation. They are: Astronomy & Purchases Geophysics, British Journal for the Donations History of Science, Journal of the We have purchased a few items British Astronomical Association, We are grateful to the following for from the library of Ian Howard- Monthly Notices and Occasional recent donations to the Library. Duff, the Gresham lectures of John Notes of the Royal Astronomical William Sheehan for his book on the Flamsteed, Sky and Ocean Joined by Society, Quarterly Journal of the transits of Venus, Peter Hingley for Steven J Dick, and Of Stars and Royal Astronomical Society and the the NGC Catalogue, Chris Daniels Men by Zdenek Kopal. Irish Astronomical Journal. The for Smyth’s Cycle of Celestial Journal for the History of Objects (1844) and 2 maps of Mars, A list appears overleaf… Astronomy is still with our and Stonyhurst College and Kevin

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 17 November 2004 Recent additions to book stock November 2004

Airy GB Account of pendulum experiments ..in Harton Colliery... 1856 [reprint] Airy GB Autobiography 1896 [reprint] Auerbach, F The Zeiss works and the Carl Zeiss foundation in Jena ? Bevis, John Atlas Celeste 1750 CD ROM 2003 Bossi, M Bicentennial commemoration of R.G. Boscovich .. 1988 Bruck, HA The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh 1966 Commins NF Heavenly errors: misconceptions about the real nature 2001 of the universe Dreyer, JLE et al History of astronomy from Thales to Kepler 1906 [1953 Flamsteed, J The Gresham lectures of John Flamsteed 1975 Gingerich, O & Hoskin, M Two astronomical anniversaries: HCO & SAO 1990 Hill, G W Biographical memoir of Asaph Hall King-Hele, D A tapestry of orbits 1992 Lodge. Sir Oliver Pioneers of Science 1908 Malphrus, BK The history of radio astronomy and the National Radio 1996 Astronomical Observatory Monaco, G L'astronomia a Roma 2000 Riden, P Record sources for local history 1987 Sheehan, W & Transits of Venus 2004 Stevens, WB Sources for English local history 1994 Stevens, WB Sources for English local history 1994 Smyth, WH A Cycle of Celestial objects 2 vols 1844

Miscellaneous items

Barthalot, R The story of Paris Observatory [Reprint] 1980 Bruck, HA Lord Crawford's Observatory at Dun Echt, 1872-1892 1992 British Astronomical Guide for observers of the moon 1972 Association British Astronomical Circulars 1981-2 1981-2 Association British Astronomical Handbook 2004 2004 Association British Astronomical Observing guide 2002 Association British Astronomical Satellite observer's manual ed. Miles 2 copies 1973 Association British Astronomical The 1999 August 11 eclipse :archive on CD Rom 2000 Association Gingerich, O Laboratory exercises in proper motion. Reprints from "Sky & Telescope" Herschel, Mrs John Memoir and correspondence of Caroline Herschel : contents and index only. 2nd eg 1879 Hingley, P RAS WholeArch. Archives Index on floppy disc 2003? Holborn, FM The beginner's telescope. JBAA reprint 1948 58 (1) 2-18 Howse, D The Royal Astronomical Society Instrument Collection 1986 Hughes, DW Six stages in the history of the astronomical unit 2001 Hughes, DW Measuring the moon's mass 2002 Hughes, DW Star of Bethlehem 2001 Hurn, M An English astronomical library: the case of the Cambridge Observatory Reprint from "The Observatory" 2003 Journal of the British Reprints from 1936 1936 Astronomical Association

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 18 November 2004 Miscellaneous items - continued

Kilburn, KJ & Cross, A. The Manchester Astronomical Society: 1991 a History Kollerstrom, N. Galileo's Astrology 2001 McRea, WH Harry Hemley Plaskett 1893-1936 : biographical memoir 1981 Massey, HSW Leslie John Comrie 1893-1950 [obit by the Royal Soc] 1952 The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh 198? Ventura, F Grandmaster De Rohan's Astronomical Observatory… 1991

Forthcoming meetings and events Clive Davenhall The following is a list of forthcoming meetings and Wed. 29 June to Sun. 3 July SEAC XIII. Annual events to be held next year. Booking is necessary unless meeting of the Société Européene pour L’Astronomie noted otherwise. Except where noted the events are dans la Culture (SEAC). To be held in Isili, Sardinia, organised by the SHA. Additional details of some of the Italy. See http://www.iac.es/seac/seac.html (non-SHA SHA events are included in the Society news section event). elsewhere in the Newsletter. The details of non-SHA events are checked as far as possible but cannot be Sat. 2 July SHA Annual Picnic. Wadham College, guaranteed. Items for inclusion in this list in future issues Oxford. Details and date are still provisional. of the Newsletter are welcome. They should be sent to the editorial address given on the back page. Sun. 4 to Fri. 9 September AAS HAD Meeting. Joint meeting of the History of Astronomy and Planetary Sat. 5 March SHA Joint Meeting with the William Sciences Divisions of the American Astronomical Herschel Society. To be held in Bath, times to be Society. To be held at the University of Cambridge confirmed, probably 2 pm – 5 pm. It will be possible to (England). For further information contact Peter Hingley, visit the William Herschel Museum in the morning. The details above or see http://www.aas.org/~had/had.html William Herschel Society’s Annual Lecture will be held (non-SHA event). on the previous evening, 4 March. See http://www.williamherschel.org.uk/. Sat. 8 October SHA Autumn Conference, Astronomers and Observatories. To be held in the Birmingham and Mon. 4 April Tour of the Crawford Collection and Midland Institute in Birmingham city centre. Date, Lecture. A tour of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh’s details etc. to be confirmed. collection of historic astronomical books and a related talk. Part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. See http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/. 7 pm, £3.50. Note that this tour of the Crawford Collection is a public event and different from the proposed tour for SHA members mentioned elsewhere in the Newsletter (non-SHA event).

Mon. 4 to Fri. 8 April NAM 2005. National Astronomy Meeting organised by the RAS and PPARC. To be held at the University of Birmingham. See http://www.sr.bham.ac.uk/nam2005/ where a preliminary programme is available. There will be at least one parallel session on the History of Astronomy. If you are interested in presenting a paper or poster contact Peter Hingley ([email protected]), The Librarian, Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BQ (non-SHA event).

May SHA Spring Conference. Incorporating the Society’s AGM. It is hoped to hold the meeting at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Precise date, details etc. to be announced.

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 19 November 2004 New members Council and Officers Kenneth Goward FRAS Hon President: Dr. Allan Chapman

The Society for the History of Astronomy extends a very Hon Vice Presidents: warm welcome to the below mentioned, who have Dr. Michael Hoskin recently been elected to our membership. Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS

Chairman: • Mr Graham Alfred Guest FRAS of London. Gilbert Satterthwaite FRAS • Dr Ann Elizabeth Bonnell FRAS and Mr John Email: [email protected] Bonnell of Leicester. Secretary: • Mr Paul Jonathan Whiting FRAS of Felixstowe, Stuart Williams LRPS FRAS Suffolk. 26 Matlock Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 3QD • Mr David W Henderson of Shipston On Stour, Email: [email protected] Warwickshire Treasurer: • Mr Jonathan Maxwell of Syston, Leicester. Kenneth J. Goward, FRAS, • Mr James T Bryan Jnr of Texas, USA. 14 Keightley Way, Tuddenham St Martin, • Mr Timothy Michael Ashby Tabb of Bath. Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9BJ Email: [email protected]

We also welcome the National Maritime Museum, Council Members Greenwich, as an Institutional member. Dr. Nicholas Kollerstrom Email: [email protected]

Martin Lunn MBE 2005 subscriptions Email: [email protected] Roger Jones Members are reminded that subscriptions for 2005 Email: [email protected] become due from 1st January. You are welcome to renew before then, as this will spread the load for the Editor, The Antiquarian Astronomer Callum Potter Treasurer! Members who fail to renew by 31st March, The Cottage, Bredon’s Hardwick, will be deemed to have lapsed their membership, as per Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 7EE Section 6 (iii) of the Society’s Constitution. A Tel. 01684 773256 membership renewal form is included with this edition of Email: [email protected] the Newsletter. Newsletter correspondence to: Clive Davenhall, 30, Millar Crescent, Morningside, Guidelines for submitting Edinburgh, EH10 5HH articles and letters to the Email: [email protected] Librarian Newsletter Madeline Cox Email: [email protected]

Guidelines for submitting articles and letters to the Archivist Newsletter were included in the previous issue (No. 4, Mark Hurn May 2004) and are available from the Society’s Web Email: [email protected] Site, http://www.shastro.org.uk/ Website Manager Greg Smye-Rumsby, As mentioned in Stuart's Society news item, the Email: [email protected] Newsletter, will be published quarterly from 2005, with General communications to the Society should be the nominal publication dates being March, June, directed to the Secretary in the first instance. September and December. This means that deadlines for material will be just halfway between issues so please SHA Website: start thinking about articles and snippets for the March http://www.shastro.org.uk issue now!

The deadline for the next edition of the Newsletter is the 1st of February 2005. Please send all items to Clive Davenhall.

SHA Newsletter – Issue 5 Page 20 November 2004