Issue 18 June 2009 BULLETIN The Dispersion of Starlight HIS striking diagram illustrates, in a highly schematic and exagger- Tated form, the use of a simple spectroscope to disperse starlight into its constituent spectrum. Note the prominent absorption lines shown in the stellar spectrum; these lines have proved a powerful and effective tool for determining the chemical composition and physical characteris- tics of the stars. The cosy domestic setting recalls that many of the early astronomical spectroscopists, at least in the UK, worked in the ‘grand amateur’ tradition (though there is artistic licence in using a spectro- scope through the window of a study rather than attached to a telescope). The early development of astronomical spectroscopy was the subject of last year’s SHA Spring Conference, held at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge in May. A report of this meeting, and much other material, appears inside. The illustration originally appeared in The Outline of Science, volume one, edited by Prof. J. Arthur Thomson, pub- lished by George Newnes Ltd of London. No publication date is given, but 1921 seems likely. Right: Frontispiece to The Outline of Science. Editorial Clive Davenhall elcome to the first issue of somewhat abbreviated form (see T is with the greatest regret that Wthe SHA Bulletin. The pp49-51). The Bulletin will be Iin this issue we must report the Bulletin complements the published twice per year, in the deaths of SHA Treasurer Mr Society’s eNews and together these spring and in the autumn, aug- Kenneth Goward and SHA mem- two publications replace the earlier mented by the occasional ‘special’ ber Dr Mary Brück. We publish an Newsletter. The eNews is pub- issue. In order to emphasise conti- obituary for Dr Brück on p42. A lished monthly and distributed nuity its issue numbers will contin- brief note about Mr Goward entirely electronically. It allows ue the sequence of the Newsletter. appears on p3 and an obituary is in information about the Society, par- We hope that you will find the new preparation for the autumn issue. ticularly its events, to be distrib- arrangements convenient and use- In very different ways both indi- uted to members more rapidly than ful. We are, of course, always viduals made great contributions to was possible hitherto. Most mem- pleased to receive feedback and our Society and our subject. It was bers will already be receiving the suggestions for improvements. a pleasure to have known them. eNews. If you are not and you have They will both be greatly missed. an e-mail account then please con- HREE figures appear above Ave atque vale. tact its Editor, Stuart Williams Tthis editorial. On the left is the (contact details are on the back Titan Mnemosyne, the personifica- page). Less-timely material, which tion of memory and mother of the constituted the bulk of the nine muses. To her right are two of Newsletter, will now appear in the her daughters, Urania the muse of Bulletin. We appreciate that not all astronomy and Clio the muse of members have access to e-mail history. Together they seem to (though most do), so the Bulletin embody much of the spirit of the will continue to carry news of the SHA, whose purpose is to record Society and its events, albeit in a and study the history of astronomy. Page 2 SHA Bulletin Issue 18 June 2009 Kenneth J. Goward Clive Davenhall T is with the greatest regret that we report the Ideath of the Society’s Treasurer, Kenneth Goward, on 26 February 2009. Ken had long- standing heart problems and had been fitted with a pacemaker earlier in the year. Following this pro- cedure he seemed to be making a recovery and his death was sudden and unexpected. Kenneth John Goward, of Tuddenham St Martin, near Ipswich, Suffolk, had been a police officer earlier in life. He had been interested in astronomy and its history for many years, and was a member and officer of Orwell Astronomical Society. Ken was involved with the SHA from the beginning, taking part in the discussions that lead to the Founding. He served as the Society’s first Treasurer and de facto membership secretary, duties which he discharged with exemplary effi- ciency. He contributed enormously to the Society in many ways, far beyond the notional duties of the office that he held. However, it is not just for his efforts on behalf of the SHA that he will be missed, Kenneth John Goward, FRAS (1952-2009). but also for his unfailing sense of humour and good companionship. We extend every sympathy and condolence to his wife Lorraine and children Maggie, Matthew and Daniel. A full obituary will appear in the autumn issue of the Bulletin. Stuart Williams has set up an on- line book of condolence at URL http://www.freewebs.com/sochistastro/apps/guestbook/. News Compiled by Clive Davenhall Webb-SHARE c o r r e s p o n d e n c e Eyes’ the former Stretton Rectory between A.C. Ranyard (now The Priory Hotel) welcomed update and the Revd T.W. over forty guests to an unusual Previous reports of this Webb. The next Bulletin meeting of three Victorian Heritage Lottery funded will report several new astronomers, Revd T.W. Webb, project have appeared in discoveries! G.H. With and Revd H.C. Key, and Newsletters 14 (October On 11 November 2008 their families. The arrival from 2007, pp4-5), 16 (July a re-enactment of a ‘star London of special guest Arthur 2008, pp7-8.) and 17 party’ originally held in Ranyard provided additional (October 2008, pp5-6). November 1865 was excitement for the actor volunteers One-third of the 331 Webb- successfully held at the former led by Nick Waller (The Play Ranyard letters have now been home of Revd Henry Cooper and Supply). Prior to the evening per- transcribed by Webb-Share volun- Mrs Ellen Arabella Key. Entitled formance the actors spent the day teers. These letters are part of a ‘Heavens Above thro’ Victorian filming with Matt Biggs and Paul SHA Bulletin Issue 18 June 2009 Page 3 Above: Key’s first telescopic drawing of Jupiter, dated 17 April 1837 and made using his 30-inch achromatic. Left: Key’s drawings of Saturn and Jupiter made using a 7.5-inch Newtonian on 18 May 1862. ( D e p a r t m e n t a l of astronomy. Astro-Cymru will Librarian, Institute run for two years and is funded by of Astronomy) a full Heritage Lottery Wales. The aims digital record has of the project are to encourage now been secured. communities across Mid and South Weighing 190 grams Wales to celebrate their astronomi- and measuring 17 cal heritage; to inspire learners of cm × 11 cm this all ages and abilities to engage fragile notebook is with the International Year of providing much new Astronomy 2009 and its legacy Haley (The Share Initiative) and information about Key’s tele- and to further develop the Welsh initial results can be seen on the scopes and observing interests. tradition for science communica- Webb-SHARE Web site: Two example drawings from the tion by increasing opportunities for h t t p : / / w w w. h e a v e n s a b o v enotebook - are reproduced here. learning about heritage. film.co.uk More details of Webb-Share can Activities will include school January 2009 proved an amazing be found on the Web site: workshops, cataloguing resources, month for discoveries about Henry http://www.spacewatch.co.uk or heritage loan boxes, family events, Cooper Key. Email queries sent by contacting SHA member Paul research, exhibitions, heritage out on 1 January to Clive Haley (The Share Initiative): tele- trail, online observatory, transla- Davenhall and Robert Argyle phone 01981 251029, email pahas- tion work and a DVD. A range of resulted in confirmation of the [email protected]. (Contributed by partners have supported the devel- location of Key’s 18-inch silvered- Paul Haley.) opment phase of the project, glass speculum and photocopies of including: the Penllergare Trust, letters he sent to David Gill (with University of Glamorgan, Swansea thanks to Sarah Strong, Archives Astro-Cymru: Astronomical Society, Officer at the Royal Geographical Powysland Museum Society) and Charles Piazzi Smyth Celebrating 400 and Penmaes (with thanks to Karen Moran, years of Welsh School. These Librarian at the Royal Observatory and other Edinburgh). Then Key’s observing Astronomy organisations notebook for the years 1837-73 The Share Initiative is are now being was located in Cambridge, pleased to announce the invited to par- untouched since it was donated by launch of Astro-Cymru, ticipate in the W.H. Steavenson in 1961! With the another education and delivery phase kind assistance of Mark Hurn research initiative in the history which will run for two Page 4 SHA Bulletin Issue 18 June 2009 years to December 2010. SHA of DNA were found to match, con- Something rotten member Paul Haley (contact firming the identification. The details above) would be pleased to copy the Calendarium Romanum in the state of hear from anyone interested in Magnum has been in the Library of online research of Welsh Uppsala University since the Denmark? astronomers; you don’t have to Polish-Swedish wars of the seven- live in Wales to be involved! teenth century. (Contributed by Paul Haley.) Following the identification, the Bishop of Frombork, Jacek Jezierski, plans to re-inter the Copernicus’ remains in a tomb worthy of remains identified Copernicus. A team led by Jerzy Gassowski, Further reading head of the Institute of For the DNA matching see, for Archaeology and Anthropology in example: http://www.cathnews.