Issue 10 – March 2006 On the trail of comets The frontispiece to Hevelius’ great work on comets, the Cometographia (published in Danzig in 1668) showing rival theories about the origin and motion of comets. On the left Aristotle demonstrates his theory that comets are terrestrial exhalations that have ascended to the upper atmosphere. On the right Kepler suggests that comets move in straight lines. Seated in the middle Hevelius expounds his own theory that comets are expelled from the turbulent atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn and move in curved paths. The history of the study of comets was discussed at the start of the recent RAS Discussion Meeting on Comets: From Antiquity to the Present Day. This meeting had been arranged to celebrate the tercentenary of the publication of Edmond Halley’s Synopsis of the Astronomy of Comets in 1705. A report appears inside. (Illustration courtesy of the Library of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh). Editorial Clive Davenhall Issues of the Newsletter do not King George V, recently ascended articles for publication. usually have a theme. However, to the throne following the death of Contributions are always welcome more by chance than design, two of Edward VII. The Jamaican dockers and details of how to submit them the articles in this issue are about were convinced that the change was are included on the back page, and comets. Comets have long been a portent that the new King’s reign are also on the Society’s Web site. considered harbingers of doom, would be marked by war. Since We look forward to hearing from though in Classical Antiquity they George V ruled from 1910 to 1936 you. were also thought to mark the soul this prediction, however accidental, of a departed prince rising to proved only too accurate. Heaven (an idea consistent with notions of eschatology in later pagan In this issue Bruce Harper describes Antiquity). Ever the skilled the rather more rational welcome propagandist, Augustus Caesar that the 1910 apparition of comet interpreted the comet of 44 BC as Halley received from the inhabitants the ascendant soul of Julius Caesar, of Ipswich, Queensland and we also thus legitimising his own rule and carry a report on the historical deflecting concern that it augured ill. aspects of the recent RAS Ironically enough, Augustus’ Discussion Meeting about comets. eventual murder in AD 14 was heralded by a blood-red comet. Issue 2 of the Society’s journal, the Antiquarian Astronomer, was Such superstitions might seem far distributed in December and has from our own time. However, as been very well received. Also, some recently as 1910 comet Halley members have been kind enough to The obverse of a silver denarius issued by Augustus Caesar around 19-18 BC caused a similar scare. Dock compliment recent issues of the showing the comet of the ‘Divine Julius’ workers in Bermuda saw the Newsletter. The success and, indeed, (reproduced from The Star of Bethlehem comet’s tail briefly turn red during a continuance, of both publications by Michael R. Molnar, 1999, Rutgers 101-gun salute to honour the new depends on us continuing to receive Univ. Press) Society news Stuart Williams and Clive Davenhall February Council meeting in this very productive meeting, which meeting should contact the London sat from 1pm – 5.30pm. Chairman, Gilbert Satterthwaite. A meeting of the Council of the SHA Council meetings in Society events and SHA was held on 11 February 2006. 2006 meetings for 2006 Thanks to the kind permission of Mr David Elliott, Executive Secretary of Following the February Council As usual, the SHA has an excellent the Royal Astronomical Society, and meeting, future SHA Council programme of meetings and events the helpful assistance of RAS meetings will take place as follows: for the remainder of 2006, Librarian and SHA Councillor Peter 20 May AGM at IOA Cambridge; comprising the Spring Conference Hingley, the meeting took place in 29 July 1pm Yorkshire Museum and and AGM, Summer Picnic and the Herschel Room on the historic 25 November 1pm Sir Robert Ball Autumn Conference. The theme of premises of the Royal Astronomical Library, Birmingham. the Spring Conference is Women in Society in Burlington House, Astronomy and that of the Autumn Piccadilly, London. Apart from the AGM, space is very Conference Instruments and limited at these meetings, which are Imaging. Before the meeting, Council was not general Society meetings, so if able to view a number of fine any member wishes to present a The Summer Picnic will be held at original books and documents from matter to Council in person, they ‘Farthings,’ the home and the RAS Library, including works should apply in advance to the observatory of SHA Honorary Vice by Cassini and Huygens, and notes Secretary, Stuart Williams. Anyone President Sir Patrick Moore. The made by William Herschel. Much of wishing to table an agenda item at Society is extremely grateful to Sir the following news originates from the AGM or any other Council Patrick for his continuing generous SHA Newsletter – Issue 10 Page 2 March 2006 and practical support. Further details of all the events can be found in Forthcoming Meetings and Events on p22. A flyer for the Spring Conference and AGM should be enclosed with this Newsletter. Thanks for early renewals SHA Treasurer Ken Goward announced at February’s Council meeting that subscriptions were being renewed at a much more satisfactory rate this year, and thanks are offered to those members who have done so, as well as encouragement to those who have not! It is essential that members renew as soon as possible each year Councillors inspect material from the RAS Library before the recent Council meeting. in order that the Society may From left to Right: Martin Lunn, Ken Goward, Roger Jones, Reg Withey, Gilbert balance its cash-flow. If you have Satterthwaite and Peter Hingley not paid your 2006 subscription yet, please remember your membership has been renamed the Survey of up to date, and although this can will lapse at the end of March. Astronomical History, following the sometimes be difficult, it is hoped to February Council meeting, where it do so in more timely fashion in Publications success was decided that a more concise future, as and when new information appellation would be beneficial. is generated. SHA Secretary Stuart Thanks to excellent editorial Another benefit of this shorter title Williams was also recently teamwork combined with the is that it opens the Survey to approached to provide a profile of assistance of our printers, Parchment overseas members. A corner of the the SHA for the popular magazine of Oxford, and mailing organised by Sir Robert Ball Library at the BBC Sky at Night, and it is hoped Peter Hingley, the second issue of Birmingham & Midland Institute that this will highlight the Society in The Antiquarian Astronomer and has now been set up as the HQ of the March issue. ninth edition of the Newsletter were the Survey. A number of county sent out promptly before Christmas, binders have been filled with the SHA publicity leaflet which was a great present to all current data collection by SHA those members whose postmen were Councillor Roger Jones, organiser of A new publicity leaflet bearing an on the ball over the festive season! the Survey. The original Windows endorsement from Sir Patrick Moore Good progress is already being PC donated by the BMI will be together with a photograph of him made with issue three of The primarily dedicated to SHA Survey and details of various Society Antiquarian Astronomer edited by work. Members interested in joining activities has been designed by Reg Withey and Kevin Johnson. the Survey should contact Roger Stuart Williams and is aimed at Jones directly (contact details on the recruiting new members across the Our highly acclaimed publications back page). UK. It is hoped to make the new have become one of the most leaflet, which is being printed in important reasons for joining the SHA publicity colour, available for download from SHA, and Council is delighted that the SHA Web site shortly. production is now both timely and Since the last issue of the of a high standard. If you think that Newsletter, SHA Councillor Martin Temporary closure of RAS you are missing any copies of Lunn has been working busily as our apartments Society publications please contact new Publicity Officer. Several items the Secretary Stuart Williams have appeared in recent magazines SHA Councillor and RAS Librarian (contact details on the back page). as a result, but Martin is still keen to Peter Hingley has reported that the emphasise the need to continue to apartments of the RAS, including Survey renamed and publicise our existence and the Library, will be closed later this facilities enhanced activities, and all members are year for about twelve months for encouraged to tell their friends, complete refurbishment and The SHA’s Survey of the colleagues and societies about the rearrangement of the interior. See Astronomical Geography of the UK, SHA and its work. It is also essential p22 for further details. one of our most important projects, the our Web site be kept regularly SHA Newsletter – Issue 10 Page 3 March 2006 London Planetarium to Commander Antony Compass Observatory (ACO) at close Fanning MBE, DSC, FRAS Slough and was soon promoted to Deputy Director. Commander With deep regret we report the death Fanning became an accomplished on 29 December 2005 of SHA practical astronomer and historian, founder member Commander and wrote several books, most Antony Fanning. Commander notably Steady as She Goes (1986), Fanning had a distinguished record a history of the ACO.