New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-13
UARY.
"THE YOUNGER" HERsCHKL.

"THE YOUNGER" HERsCHEL.
The cable announces the death of Sir John
Frederick William Herschel one Of the most celebrated
astronomers Of the present century and only Sir
William Herscbe the ilustrOus dscoverer Of the planet
Uranus Sir John Herschel, commonly designated as
"the Younger" reached the age OF 70 years. not quite
equang tho extraordinary longevity characteristic OF
his fsmy-hs father having lived TO "a years and his
aunt Caroline Herschel erself discOverer well known
IN the records OF astronomical scenee having died, In
1913 IN her s5th year. The discoveries of the
Hersche family are so intimately interviewer with
ali modern astronomy that the details of their
almost history of that science. The field in which the
younger Herschei won his greatest was more
especially that Of stellar distinguished from planetary
astronomy His early studies in which he attained emf
nence, OF mathematical character In 1888 he pub
hshed work which established his fame as an astron
omer It was catalogue of stars containing observa
lions On more than 600 Debule and 5000 double stars The
Naus OF this work will De evident when 10 is considered
that century ago only double known now
it are catalogues OF than 5000, almost all OF
& aie nc fruits Of the abors of the Herches and Of
Sii oolinan diseoyerer. The knowledge afforded by
""'e NdtlOn OF these double stars OF which
aPP uoDs 20 TIE unaided eye, is the foundation OF
i pcg ~ OF adereal science, their motions hay
iV P.VlVu tt TIE power Of gravity which drew down
@ Iss tIee me apple whose fan was observed by New
sDace ' ~ III the farthest limits OF celestial
sPaee' ~ John Herschel led the way In
Lhe tSiis which have demonstrated concern
ng nj least 60 OF these double stars mat each is
constituted Of pair Of engaged In ~ vaino abont
each other or, to speak more sseptdesIIv Zach nar
reyolves around its ceater Of raVfS be disa"y
cry Of the greater number known neb3ia aud The re-
solution or many of Them into separate tap S nrin
cpDy are 10 the aDOrs Of the Herseheis and me o.
feet reflector constructed by the younger Hcrcbe va.
the chief instrument IN these snceesses pcrhan b"S
ever, the most enduring title TO fa,ne ~, sr' Ihn
H1schol is due 10 his extfaOrdinary surge 81 thn
southern sidefea heavens AZ his own ey,S. Va "
established observatory al the Cape az God liz e
and taking thither his most powerful instrnents H.
voted four years 20 examination Of the sonfRar,
celestial regions, hitherto but little known c rai.
81 these observations marked In science THAR Yh
bcatlOn not only furnished complete survey Of The
southern celestial hemisphere but added sDecies 80
analysis BY which the spaces between fixed stars were
measured, and notion OF the immensty OF the mt
Nerse obtained. The method which Sir John Hersehrl
adopted in these Investigations has been popularity desg
Dated as "gauging the heavens" KHighhOOd and vi
nous honorary Do srees-nOng them that OF Foreign As
s9clate ~ ule French ACademy-were conferred upon
Nun Tor his distinguished services 10 science. In 1885 lie
was made Lord Rector Of Martschal College Aberdeen;
,l ~ PRESIDENT OF the Astronomical Society Deem
pe I Master Of the MINT Since 1856 failing health has
~lthofaWn him from active service, but within
80 Years L4S cgllrbullens " science have been VI