Caroline Herschel (1750-1848)


Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) was a German-born astronomer who discovered the largest number of comets. Carolyn, the sister of the famous astronomer William Herschel, was shocked to see his brother William’s night star observations.

In 1828 he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. Carolina was the first scientist in England to receive a government salary. Messier 110, the second member of the Andromeda galaxy, the nearest galaxy to the Solar System, was discovered by Carol.

The Herschel Space Observatory, once one of the largest infrared spacecraft, was named Herschel in memory of Caroline Herschel and her brother William Herschel. Launched in 2009, it became operational on April 29, 2013.

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