The cycle of celestial objects continued at the Hartwell Observatory to 1859. With a notice of recent discoveries, including details from the Aedes Hartwellianae.

SMYTH, W.H.

Published by London: printed for private Circulation, 1860, 1860

About this Item

FIRST EDITION. Large 4 to. Orig. cloth, rebacked with the orig. gilt spine laid down. ix, (1), 480 pp. Six engraved plates, one in blue & black, and numerous wood engravings in the text. Spotty foxing to some plates (especially the first) and surrounding leaves; a very good copy. William Henry Smyth (1788-1865), the father of Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) and both observational astronomers, published his first set of observations in 1844 (vol.2: 'The Bedford Catalogue'). Towards the end of his life he supplemented it with a record of his observations on double stars in the present publication. Also included is a complete account of his observatory at Hartwell, its instruments, library, and personnel. A summary history of astronomy and remarks on sections of his previous 'Cycle' precede the new observations. Smyth also provides an extended account with quotations of the discovery of the new planet Neptune. This large volume ends with an ode to the double-star gamma-Virginis. Crawford Lib., p.421. R.A.S. Lib. Cat. (1886), p.341. Not in Houzeau & Lancaster or Roller & Goodman.

Seller Inventory # 000129

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The cycle of celestial objects continued at the Hartwell Observatory to 1859. With a notice of recent discoveries, including details from the Aedes Hartwellianae.
• Publisher: London: printed for private Circulation, 1860
• Publication Date: 1860
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good