Caroline Herschel (nonfiction)

From Gnomon Chronicles
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Caroline Herschel.

Caroline Lucretia Herschel (16 March 1750 – 9 January 1848) was a German astronomer, whose most significant contributions to astronomy were the discoveries of several comets, including the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet, which bears her name.

She was the sister of astronomer William Herschel, with whom she worked throughout her career.

She was the first woman to be paid for her contribution to science, to be awarded a Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1828), and to be named an Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society (1835, with Mary Somerville). She was also named an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy (1838).

The King of Prussia presented her with a Gold Medal for Science on the occasion of her 96th birthday (1846).

In the News

Fiction cross-reference

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links: