Profile of the Day: William Herschel

William and Caroline Herschel

On this day in 1781, astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun.

Born on November 15, 1738 in the Electorate of Hanover in Germany, then a part of the Holy Roman Empire, Herschel moved to Great Britain at the age of 19. He worked as a musician and composer before discovering an interest in astronomy.

As his interests grew stronger, Herschel began building his own telescopes and noting his observations of the stars and planets. On March 13, 1781, Herschel realized that the celestial body he had been observing was not a star but a planet. His discovery would mark the first new planet to be discovered in modern times. Herschel was appointed Court Astronomer by George III and called his new planet Georgium sidus (George’s star) in honor of the king. However, the name did not stick and the name “Uranus” was adopted after the ancient Greek god.

Herschel did not do all of his work alone. He had help from his sister, Caroline Herschel, who worked closely with her brother throughout his career. A noted astronomer in her own right, Caroline discovered several comets while also working as an assistant to her brother.

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Image: Wikimedia Commons