Astronomy in the Special Collections
Our October spotlight exhibition
continues in the Reading Room, with a look this week at Sir John F. W. Herschel
(1792-1871) and his Treatise on astronomy
(London : Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans, 1851). A tireless and esteemed
exponent of the science, Herschel served as the foreign secretary of the
Astronomical Society from 1820-1827, and later as its president. He was awarded the
Lalande prize by the French Academy of Sciences and a gold medal by the
Astronomical Society for his pioneering work in collaboration with James South (1785-1867)
in the field of double stars. His output included the recording of double and multiple
stars and nebulae in the northern and southern skies. His observations of
Halley’s Comet during his time in South Africa provided valuable insight into
the dynamics of the object. This Treatise
was for a time deemed the authoritative text in the field of astronomical science.
You can also view the spotlight
exhibition in its entirety on the digital display wall in the Hardiman Foyer
during the month of October.
If you would like to view
this item, please contact the staff of the Special Collections Reading Room in
the Hardiman Research Building at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie.
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