Greenwich Reduction Registers, 1835 - 1930
Scope and Contents
These volumes contain standard forms to aid the reduction of planetary and some stellar observations in preparation for publication. A number of volumes are marked with the names of his assistants at the time such as John Glaisher and Hugh Breen. The material in sections 10-13 concerns stellar observations and, with the possible exception of section 13, appears to have been added at a later date.
Dates
- Creation: 1835 - 1930
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Many of these volumes are large and can be awkward to handle.
Biographical / Historical
It is thought these volumes are the preparatory reduction work directed by George Bidell Airy to address the back log in publication of observations (mostly planetary and lunar) made at Greenwich 1750-1830. For this work he was awarded the gold medal and a testimonial from the Royal Astronomical Society in 1846 and 1848 respectively.
Extent
89 volume(s) : paper
Language of Materials
English
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The volumes have been exposed to damp conditions and show foxing, mould damage and insect damage. There is considerable surface dirt, the bindings are generally loose or broken and there are numerous small losses particularly from the spines.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Produced or accumulated by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
General
The online catalogue for Janus was compiled from an existing list in February 2010 by Zoe A. Rees, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives. The scope and content description was compiled with reference to the online Dictionary of National Biography entry for Airy (http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/251) (accessed February 2010).
Date information
DateText: sections 1-9 and 13 circa 1835-45 (covering observations made 1750-1830); sections 10-12 1897-1930.
Originator(s)
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Finding aid date
2008-11-17 11:42:35+00:00
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
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