Harvard College Observatory records relating to the meteor showers of 1898 and 1899
Overview
The Harvard College Observatory records relating to the meteor showers of 1898 and 1899 contain correspondence and related materials, including lists of observers, an annotated map, and a chart of "Observations of November Meteors," mostly documenting the meteor shower of 1898. The majority of the series contains incoming correspondence to the Harvard College Observatory from observers located across the United States and around the world, describing the meteor shower of 1898.
Dates
- Creation: 1898-1899
Creator
- Harvard College Observatory (Organization)
Researcher Access
The Harvard College Observatory records relating to the meteor showers of 1898 and 1899 are open for research.
Extent
0.5 cubic feet (1 extra-tall document box)The Harvard College Observatory records relating to the meteor showers of 1898 and 1899 contain correspondence and related items, mostly documenting the meteor shower of 1898. The majority of the series contains incoming correspondence to the Harvard College Observatory from observers located across the United States and around the world, describing the meteor shower of 1898.
The records also contain lists of observers, an annotated map, a list of places with latitude and longitude, and a chart of "Observations of November Meteors," 1898. There is also a note reading, "Lists of Meteor Observers, 1898 and 1899. Handed me Mar. 24, 1925, by Prof. W[illard] P[eabody] Gerrish, to be put with the records of observations. [Signed] W[illard].J.F[isher]."
Biographical note on Willard Peabody Gerrish
Willard Peabody Gerrish (1866-1951), astronomer, was an assistant professor of astronomy at the Harvard College Observatory, where he worked under Edward Charles Pickering and, later, Harlow Shapley, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Gerrish was placed in charge of photographic work because of his ability to devise improved instrumentation. He died on November 10, 1951.
Biographical note on Willard J. Fisher
Willard James Fisher (1867-1934), astronomer and physicist, began working at the Harvard College Observatory in 1922; he was appointed as research associate in 1927, a position he held until his death. His specialties were lunar eclipses and the study of meteors.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in two series:
- Correspondence from observers, 1898
- Lists of Meteor Observers, 1898-1899
Processing Information
This finding aid was created by Olivia Mandica-Hart in March 2022. Processing included physical re-housing and the creation of this finding aid. Titles were transcribed from the original documents; titles enclosed in brackets were devised by the archivist.
Creator
- Harvard College Observatory (Organization)
- Title
- Harvard College Observatory. Harvard College Observatory records relating to the meteor showers of 1898 and 1899, 1898-1899 : an inventory
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Harvard University Archives
- Date
- March 17, 2022
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- eng
- EAD ID
- hua18022
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu