William Radcliffe Birt

FRAS FRAS may refer to: * Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Whatever shines should be observed) , predecessor = , successor = , formation = , founder = , extinction = , merger ...

(1804–1881) was an English

amateur astronomer Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers ...

in the 19th century. Birt worked extensively with

John Herschel Sir John Frederick William Herschel, 1st Baronet (; 7 March 1792 – 11 May 1871) was an English polymath active as a mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor, experimental photographer who invented the blueprint and did botanical wor ...

, carrying out a great deal of meteorogical research on

atmospheric waves An atmospheric wave is a periodic disturbance in the fields of atmospheric variables (like surface pressure or geopotential height, temperature, or wind velocity) which may either propagate (''traveling wave'') or not ('' standing wave''). Atmo ...

, from 1843 to 1850. A lot of his work is held in the Scientist's Collection at the

American Philosophical Society The American Philosophical Society (APS), founded in 1743 in Philadelphia, is a scholarly organization that promotes knowledge in the sciences and humanities through research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and communit ...

. Probably on Herschel's recommendation, Birt became involved with the

Kew Observatory The King's Observatory (called for many years the Kew Observatory) is a Grade I listed building in Richmond, London. Now a private dwelling, it formerly housed an astronomical and terrestrial magnetic observatory founded by King George III. T ...

in the later 1840s under the Directorship of

Francis Ronalds Sir Francis Ronalds FRS (21 February 17888 August 1873) was an English scientist and inventor, and arguably the first electrical engineer. He was knighted for creating the first working electric telegraph over a substantial distance. In 1816 ...

. He analysed and published the latter's detailed

atmospheric electricity Atmospheric electricity is the study of electrical charges in the Earth's atmosphere (or that of another planet). The movement of charge between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electr ...

and meteorological observations. They also worked together on a new design of

kite A kite is a tethered heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create lift and drag forces. A kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. Kites often have a bridle and tail to guide the fac ...

for making meteorological recordings in the upper air. Birt was formally appointed in late 1849 as Ronalds’ assistant but their relationship soured shortly afterwards and Birt was requested by the Kew Committee to leave in mid-1850. The lunar crater

Birt Birt is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Charlie Birt (born 1942), Canadian politician * Fred Birt (1886–1956), Welsh rugby union player * Jill Birt (), keyboardist in Australian band The Triffids * John Birt (footballer) ...

is named after him.

References

External links

Vladimir Jankovic, 'John Herschel's and William Radcliffe Birt's research on atmospheric waves'

* * 1804 births 1881 deaths Amateur astronomers English meteorologists 19th-century British astronomers Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society {{UK-astronomer-stub

References

Further reading

External links