[BAA-ebulletin 00584] Book launch and Saturday openings of the Royal Astronomical Society Library.

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

2011/June/6

Dear    BAA Member

    I am sending this message,  by courtesy of the  BAA, to let you
know of a forthcoming Book Launch at Burlington  House,   and to
remind you about  the programme of Saturday openings   of the  Royal
Astronomical  Society Library.

Dr Michael Hoskin; ‘Discoverers of the  Universe; William and Caroline Herschel’
Thursday  23 June 2011, 1800 hrs, at the  Royal  Astronomical
Society,  Burlington House, Piccadilly.

There has not been an adequate biography of William and Caroline
Herschel published  for many years. Dr Michael Hoskin  has now  filled
that gap; in a long lifetime of  research in the History of Astronomy,
 including editing and   publishing  ‘Journal for the History of
Astronomy’  from its inception in  1970,  the lives  and work of the
Herschels has been a major thread,  covered partly in several previous
books, and  this work, written with the  active co-operation of the
Herschel family, is surely the definitive statement on the subject.
The book,  published recently  by Princeton  University Press,  is
both a chronicle of scientific achievement and of a  complex human
relationship. This ‘post launch’ celebration will give an opportunity
to meet the author.  Copies of the book  will be available for
purchase  at a  20%  discount,  the price then  being £16.75,  and Dr
Hoskin will be happy to sign them. This event is being organised as a
‘Friends of the RAS’ event but anybody interested is welcome to attend
subject to space being available. There will be no charge for the
event but for catering and capacity reasons it is necessary to book a
place; please contact Miss Lara Maisey (lkm at ras.org.uk or tel 020 7734
4582 Xt 204) and mention that you have  received this invitation.

Programme;

1800 – 1830                Guests arrive and meet author
1830                            Brief introduction by Librarian
1830 – 1900                Talk by Dr  Hoskin ‘Discoverers of the  Universe’
1900 -1930                  Light refreshments
1930                            Close

Secondly  I   would like to  remind  you that the  RAS  Library is
open  (usually)  on the first Saturday of the  Month (or   if that is
a Bank Holiday weekend   on the  2nd  Saturday).  The  remaining dates
  for  2011  are 4th June, 2nd  July, 6th August,  3rd  September,
1st October,  5th November,  3rd December.  The opening hours on those
days  are  10.00 -  12.30,  13.30 – 17.00.  It is essential  to make
contact   in advance  if  you need to see specialised  material
especially   older journal  runs.  The RAS   is receptive to  requests
by astronomical   societies and similar bodies to  make organised
visits on these days, by  prior arrangement,  with  a  limit of
numbers of ‘about  25’.  I look forward to seeing you at the launch
and / or in the  Library.

Peter D Hingley