Frank R. Fisher's notes contain observations, drawings, and photographs relating to scientific studies, particularly astronomical observations made while Fisher was a resident in Charleston, S.C., during the 1880s. Fisher, a cashier at the South Carolina Railroad Company in Charleston, was an amateur scientist and inventor who occasionally worked in consultation with longtime College of Charleston professor Lewis R. Gibbes. Fisher's astronomical observations begin in Charleston in 1882 with the sighting of a comet. He also records his observations of the transit of Venus (1883), an aurora and sun spots (1892), and discusses new theories concerning Jupiter (1894) and the nature of the sun's corona (1892). He includes charts, drawings, and diagrams. Of particular interest are observations made during the Charleston earthquake in Aug. 1886 (pages 41-73). Other notes include inscriptions from buildings in Nineveh, Hebrew alphabets, the "hieroglyphic alphabet" and discussions on the Rosetta Stone and the statue of Memnon at Thebes. 123p. Full text.
In July 1985, in anticipation of the return of Halley's Comet the following year, Dr. William R. Kubinec, chairman of the Department of Physics at the College of Charleston, published a request in "Sky and Telescope" for recollections of the 1910 appearance of the comet. This collection consists of the worldwide responses he received.
Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Croatia (then part of Austro-Hungarian Empire). Author mentions that the comet's appearance portended eventual war in that country and points to the later assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the outbreak of WWI as validation.
Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Cape Town, South Africa. Author includes detailed data on the altitude and azimuth of the comet and encloses a map and sketch of the comet over Table Bay.
Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Tuxedo (New York?). Author responds on questionnaire created for the Halley's comet project.
Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Marion, South Carolina. Questions included: 1. What were the circumstances when you saw the comet? 2. Describe the appearance of the comet. 3. Did you experience any particular emotions when you saw the comet? 4. Did anything interesting, unusual or funny happen while the comet was visible? 5. What did you think a comet was in 1910? 6. What did your parents, relatives, friends or teachers tell you about the comets in 1910? 7. As you grew older did your view or understanding of the nature of comets change? 8. As you grew older did you ever think about your experience of seeing Halley's comet? If so, under what circumstances? 9. Do you feel privileged to have seen Halley's comet? 10. Do you feel that seeing Comet Halley has affected you personally in any way? If so, how?
Author encloses letter from an uncle who recalls both 1910 comets. The letter points out the possible confusion some living observers might have about the two comets. (The Daylight Comet of 1910 appeared before Halley's and was considered by many to be more impressive). See letter 1, enclosure from Ewen A. Whitaker. Enclosure: "Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet by Ivan Smith in Stourbridge, England. Writer also mentions the Daylight Comet of 1910 and comments that Halley's was but a ""squib"" compared to it."
Writer interviewed Paul Swenson about 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Worcester, Massachusetts. Questions included: 1. What were the circumstances when you saw the comet? 2. Describe the appearance of the comet. 3. Did you experience any particular emotions when you saw the comet? 4. Did anything interesting, unusual or funny happen while the comet was visible? 5. What did you think a comet was in 1910? 6. What did your parents, relatives, friends or teachers tell you about the comets in 1910? 7. As you grew older did your view or understanding of the nature of comets change? 8. As you grew older did you ever think about your experience of seeing Halley's comet? If so, under what circumstances? 9. Do you feel privileged to have seen Halley's comet? 10. Do you feel that seeing Comet Halley has affected you personally in any way? If so, how?
Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Amsterdam, New York. Like many accounts, the writer expresses fear and awe at the comet's arrival.
Letter enclosing Turkish book for the project. Letter writer gives detailed summary of the book including its use of the 1910 appearance of Halley's comet as a backdrop.
