Caroline herschel discoveries

The first woman to discover a comet, the first woman officially recognized in a scientific position, and the first woman to receive honorary membership into Britain's prestigious Royal Society, Caroline Herschel made a significant contribution to the field of astronomy. Let's take a look at the life of this amazing woman.

Her brother's keeper

Born in Germany as Karoline Lucretia Herschel on March 16, , Herschel was one of the ten children of Anna Ilse Moritzen and Issak Herschel.

The family was very musical, and her older brother, William, eventually moved to England to work as a music teacher and organist. At the age of 22, Caroline moved with him to train as a singer. She sang as a soprano in a number of performances.

In his mids, William Herschel's interest in astronomy took off. Caroline worked as his assistant, helping him to polish mirrors while building his own telescope.

William discovered the planet Uranus in , and was subsequently knigh Caroline Herschel - Timeline - Women in Exploration MYKE