Caroline Herschel
Encyclopedia
Caroline Lucretia Herschel (16 March 1750 – 9 January 1848) was a German-British astronomer
, the sister of astronomer Sir Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel
with whom she worked throughout both of their careers. Her most significant contribution to astronomy was the discovery of several comets and in particular the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet
, which bears her name. At the age of ten, Caroline was struck with typhus
, which stunted her growth and she never grew past four foot three. Due to this deformation, her family assumed that she would never marry and that it was best for her to remain a house servant. Instead she became a significant astronomer in collaboration with Wilhelm.
By this point Wilhelm had established himself as an organist and music teacher at 19 New King Street, Bath, Somerset
(now the Herschel Museum of Astronomy). She took several singing lessons a day from Wilhelm, who had become the choirmaster of the Octagon Chapel
. Wilhelm was busy with his musical career and became fairly busy organizing public concerts. Caroline was the principal singer at his oratorio
concerts, and acquired such a reputation as a vocalist that she was offered an engagement for the Birmingham
festival which she declined. But it appears that Caroline did not blend in with the local society and made few friends.
Wilhelm's interest in astronomy started as a hobby to pass time at night. Caroline became as interested as Wilhelm. Wilhelm became known for his work on high performance telescopes, and Caroline found herself supporting his efforts. Caroline’s astronomy fit the central aims of the new astronomical society of London established in 1820 better than Wilhelm. Caroline possessed incredible dexterity in polishing mirrors and mounting telescopes involving astonishing discipline and dexterity which Wilhelm did not have. Therefore he depended on her support and presence.
With time, Caroline learned to copy astronomical catalogues and other publications that Wilhelm had borrowed. She also learned to record, reduce, and organize her brother’s astronomical observations. She recognized that this work demanded speed and accuracy rather than understanding. However, at William’s insistence, Caroline began to make observations on her own in 1782. This insistence led to many accomplishments. Caroline no longer had to depend solely on her singing to gain satisfaction; rather she was able to contribute to society far more than she thought she would.
Wilhelm was labeled an astronomer; however, Caroline Herschel was an astronomer in her own right. After taking her brother’s advice to understand astronomy, she discovered more than half a dozen comets in the 1780s and 1790s that several are named after her in some way.
Throughout her writings, she repeatedly makes it clear that she desires to earn an independent wage. When this is rewarded by the state for her assistance to her brother, she becomes the first woman—at a time when even men rarely received wages for scientific enterprises—to receive a salary for services to science.
When Wilhelm
married a rich widow in 1788, it caused tension in the brother-sister relationship. Caroline was known as a bitter, jealous woman who worshipped her brother and resented those who invaded their domestic lives. Therefore when he married, Caroline was always upset. Wilhelm’s new wife made every possible effort to stay on good terms with Caroline, but it was useless, Caroline remained bitter. This situation also contributed to her many discoveries. In the event that her brother became occupied with a wife, Caroline continued to work solo on many of the astronomical projects which contributed to her rise to fame.After her brother died she moved back to Hannover Germany.
William's interest in astronomy started as a hobby to pass time at night. At breakfast the next day he would give an impromptu lecture on what he had learned the night before. Caroline became as interested as William, stating that she was "much hindered in my practice by my help being continually wanted in the execution of the various astronomical contrivances." Wilhelm became known for his work on high performance telescopes, and Caroline found herself supporting his efforts.
In 1782, Wilhelm accepted the office of King's Astronomer to George III
and moved to Datchet
and subsequently to Observatory House near Slough
(then in Buckinghamshire
, now in Berkshire
). The new job proved to be a mixed blessing; although it left him with ample free time to continue his astronomical observations, it also meant a reduction in income and being called upon by the king for entertainment at any time. During this time Wilhelm perfected his telescope making, building a series of ever larger devices that ultimately ended with his famous 40 feet (12.2 m) focal length
instrument. Caroline was his constant assistant in his observations, also performing the laborious calculations with which they were connected. During one such observation run on the large telescope in 1783, Caroline became caught on an iron hook and when she was helped off "...they could not lift me without leaving nearly 2 ounces [60 g] of my flesh behind."
During her leisure hours she occupied herself with observing the sky with a 27 inches (68.6 cm) focal length
Newtonian telescope
and by this means detected a number of astronomical objects during the years 1783 - 87, including most notably an independent discovery of M110 (NGC 205)
, the second companion of the Andromeda Galaxy. During 1786 - 97 she also discovered eight comet
s, her first comet being discovered on 1 August 1786. She had unquestioned priority on five of the comets and had rediscovered Comet Encke
in 1795. In 1787, she was granted an annual salary of £50 by George III for her work as Wilhelm's assistant.
In 1797 William's observations had shown that there were a great many discrepancies in the star catalogue published by John Flamsteed
, which was difficult to use due to its having been published as two volumes, the catalogue proper and a volume of original observations. William realised that he needed a proper cross-index in order to properly explore these differences but was reluctant to devote time to it at the expense of his more interesting astronomical activities. He therefore recommended to Caroline that she undertake the task. The resulting Catalogue of Stars was published by the Royal Society in 1798 and contained an index of every observation of every star made by Flamsteed, a list of errata, and a list of more than 560 stars that had not been included.
Caroline returned to Hanover in 1822 following her brother's death, but did not abandon her astronomical studies, continuing to verify and confirm William's findings and producing a catalogue of nebula
e to assist her nephew John Herschel
in his work. In 1828 the Royal Astronomical Society
presented her with their Gold Medal
for this work - no woman would be awarded it again until Vera Rubin
in 1996.
In 1835, along with Mary Somerville
, she was elected to honorary membership of the Royal Astronomical Society; they were the first honorary women members. In 1838 she was also elected as a member of the Royal Irish Academy
. In 1846 at the age of 96, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Science by the King of Prussia
.
Caroline Herschel died at Hanover on 9 January 1848. She is buried at 35 Marienstrasse in Hanover at the cemetery of the Gartengemeinde.
from the Astronomical Society of London, and another from the King of Prussia
. The Gold medal was for completion of the reduction and arrangement of all the nebulae and clusters of stars observed by her brother in his sweeps. This also led the Royal Astronomical Society
to elect her an Honorary Member.
The asteroid
281 Lucretia
(discovered 1888) was named after Caroline's second given name, and the crater C. Herschel
on the Moon
is named after her.
Adrienne Rich
's 1968 poem Planetarium celebrated Caroline Herschel's life and scientific achievements.
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
, the sister of astronomer Sir Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel
William Herschel
Sir Frederick William Herschel, KH, FRS, German: Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel was a German-born British astronomer, technical expert, and composer. Born in Hanover, Wilhelm first followed his father into the Military Band of Hanover, but emigrated to Britain at age 19...
with whom she worked throughout both of their careers. Her most significant contribution to astronomy was the discovery of several comets and in particular the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet
35P/Herschel-Rigollet
35P/Herschel–Rigollet is a periodic comet discovered by Caroline Herschel on 1788-12-21.-1789 apparition:Caroline Herschel first observed the comet on 21 December 1788 and it was observed later that night by her brother William Herschel who described it as looking like a bright nebula and about...
, which bears her name. At the age of ten, Caroline was struck with typhus
Typhus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
, which stunted her growth and she never grew past four foot three. Due to this deformation, her family assumed that she would never marry and that it was best for her to remain a house servant. Instead she became a significant astronomer in collaboration with Wilhelm.
Early life
Caroline was born in Hannover to Isaak Herschel and Anna Ilse Moritzen of Hannover. Her father was of Jewish descent. At the time, the crowns of England and Hannover were united under George II., meaning that movement back and forth was easy. Isaak led a musical family, and Wilhelm twelve years Caroline's senior, became an army oboist in his teens. After seeing combat and deciding on a new career Wilhelm decided to go to England, moving there in 1766 at the age of nineteen. Upon Isaak's death in 1767 Caroline was left working in the family kitchen, and when an invitation to join Wilhelm arrived she moved to join him in 1772.By this point Wilhelm had established himself as an organist and music teacher at 19 New King Street, Bath, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
(now the Herschel Museum of Astronomy). She took several singing lessons a day from Wilhelm, who had become the choirmaster of the Octagon Chapel
Octagon Chapel, Bath
The Octagon Chapel in Milsom Street, Bath, Somerset, England was built in 1767 and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.- History :...
. Wilhelm was busy with his musical career and became fairly busy organizing public concerts. Caroline was the principal singer at his oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
concerts, and acquired such a reputation as a vocalist that she was offered an engagement for the Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
festival which she declined. But it appears that Caroline did not blend in with the local society and made few friends.
Wilhelm's interest in astronomy started as a hobby to pass time at night. Caroline became as interested as Wilhelm. Wilhelm became known for his work on high performance telescopes, and Caroline found herself supporting his efforts. Caroline’s astronomy fit the central aims of the new astronomical society of London established in 1820 better than Wilhelm. Caroline possessed incredible dexterity in polishing mirrors and mounting telescopes involving astonishing discipline and dexterity which Wilhelm did not have. Therefore he depended on her support and presence.
With time, Caroline learned to copy astronomical catalogues and other publications that Wilhelm had borrowed. She also learned to record, reduce, and organize her brother’s astronomical observations. She recognized that this work demanded speed and accuracy rather than understanding. However, at William’s insistence, Caroline began to make observations on her own in 1782. This insistence led to many accomplishments. Caroline no longer had to depend solely on her singing to gain satisfaction; rather she was able to contribute to society far more than she thought she would.
Wilhelm was labeled an astronomer; however, Caroline Herschel was an astronomer in her own right. After taking her brother’s advice to understand astronomy, she discovered more than half a dozen comets in the 1780s and 1790s that several are named after her in some way.
Throughout her writings, she repeatedly makes it clear that she desires to earn an independent wage. When this is rewarded by the state for her assistance to her brother, she becomes the first woman—at a time when even men rarely received wages for scientific enterprises—to receive a salary for services to science.
When Wilhelm
Wilhelm
Wilhelm may refer to:* Wilhelm I, German Emperor , King of Prussia and German Emperor* Wilhelm II, German Emperor , grandson of the former, King of Prussia and German Emperor* Wilhelm , a character in Xenosaga...
married a rich widow in 1788, it caused tension in the brother-sister relationship. Caroline was known as a bitter, jealous woman who worshipped her brother and resented those who invaded their domestic lives. Therefore when he married, Caroline was always upset. Wilhelm’s new wife made every possible effort to stay on good terms with Caroline, but it was useless, Caroline remained bitter. This situation also contributed to her many discoveries. In the event that her brother became occupied with a wife, Caroline continued to work solo on many of the astronomical projects which contributed to her rise to fame.After her brother died she moved back to Hannover Germany.
Astronomical work
In 1782, Wilhelm accepted the office of King's Astronomer to George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
and moved to Datchet
Datchet
Datchet is an English Thameside village and civil parish situated in the unitary authority of Windsor and Maidenhead in the county of Berkshire. It was transferred to Berkshire from Buckinghamshire in 1974....
and subsequently to Observatory House near Slough
Slough
Slough is a borough and unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Royal Berkshire, England. The town straddles the A4 Bath Road and the Great Western Main Line, west of central London...
(then in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, now in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
). The new job proved to be a mixed blessing; although it left him with ample free time to continue his astronomical observations, it also meant a reduction in income and being called upon by the king for entertainment at any time. During this time Wilhelm perfected his telescope making, building a series of ever larger devices that ultimately ended with his famous 40 feet (12.2 m) focal length
Focal length
The focal length of an optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or diverges light. For an optical system in air, it is the distance over which initially collimated rays are brought to a focus...
instrument. Caroline was his constant assistant in his observations, also performing the laborious calculations with which they were connected. During one such observation run on the large telescope in 1783, Caroline became caught on an iron hook and when she was helped off "...they could not lift me without leaving nearly 2 ounces [60 g] of my flesh behind."
During her leisure hours she occupied herself with observing the sky with a 27 inches (68.6 cm) focal length
Focal length
The focal length of an optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or diverges light. For an optical system in air, it is the distance over which initially collimated rays are brought to a focus...
Newtonian telescope
Newtonian telescope
The Newtonian telescope is a type of reflecting telescope invented by the British scientist Sir Isaac Newton , using a concave primary mirror and a flat diagonal secondary mirror. Newton’s first reflecting telescope was completed in 1668 and is the earliest known functional reflecting telescope...
and by this means detected a number of astronomical objects during the years 1783 - 87, including most notably an independent discovery of M110 (NGC 205)
Messier 110
Messier 110 is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy that is a satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy. M110 contains some dust and hints of recent star formation, which is unusual for dwarf elliptical galaxies in general.-History:...
, the second companion of the Andromeda Galaxy. During 1786 - 97 she also discovered eight comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
s, her first comet being discovered on 1 August 1786. She had unquestioned priority on five of the comets and had rediscovered Comet Encke
Comet Encke
Comet Encke or Encke's Comet is a periodic comet that completes an orbit of the Sun once every three years — the shortest period of any known comet...
in 1795. In 1787, she was granted an annual salary of £50 by George III for her work as Wilhelm's assistant.
In 1797 William's observations had shown that there were a great many discrepancies in the star catalogue published by John Flamsteed
John Flamsteed
Sir John Flamsteed FRS was an English astronomer and the first Astronomer Royal. He catalogued over 3000 stars.- Life :Flamsteed was born in Denby, Derbyshire, England, the only son of Stephen Flamsteed...
, which was difficult to use due to its having been published as two volumes, the catalogue proper and a volume of original observations. William realised that he needed a proper cross-index in order to properly explore these differences but was reluctant to devote time to it at the expense of his more interesting astronomical activities. He therefore recommended to Caroline that she undertake the task. The resulting Catalogue of Stars was published by the Royal Society in 1798 and contained an index of every observation of every star made by Flamsteed, a list of errata, and a list of more than 560 stars that had not been included.
Caroline returned to Hanover in 1822 following her brother's death, but did not abandon her astronomical studies, continuing to verify and confirm William's findings and producing a catalogue of nebula
Nebula
A nebula is an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen gas, helium gas and other ionized gases...
e to assist her nephew John Herschel
John Herschel
Sir John Frederick William Herschel, 1st Baronet KH, FRS ,was an English mathematician, astronomer, chemist, and experimental photographer/inventor, who in some years also did valuable botanical work...
in his work. In 1828 the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
presented her with their Gold Medal
Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
-History:In the early years, more than one medal was often awarded in a year, but by 1833 only one medal was being awarded per year. This caused a problem when Neptune was discovered in 1846, because many felt an award should jointly be made to John Couch Adams and Urbain Le Verrier...
for this work - no woman would be awarded it again until Vera Rubin
Vera Rubin
Vera Rubin is an American astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation rates. She is famous for uncovering the discrepancy between the predicted angular motion of galaxies and the observed motion, by studying galactic rotation curves...
in 1996.
In 1835, along with Mary Somerville
Mary Somerville
Mary Fairfax Somerville was a Scottish science writer and polymath, at a time when women's participation in science was discouraged...
, she was elected to honorary membership of the Royal Astronomical Society; they were the first honorary women members. In 1838 she was also elected as a member of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
. In 1846 at the age of 96, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Science by the King of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
.
Caroline Herschel died at Hanover on 9 January 1848. She is buried at 35 Marienstrasse in Hanover at the cemetery of the Gartengemeinde.
Honours
Herschel was awarded a Gold medalGold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
from the Astronomical Society of London, and another from the King of Prussia
King of Prussia
King of Prussia may refer to:* A ruler of the former German state of Prussia**List of rulers of Prussia* Place names** King of Prussia, Pennsylvania* Shopping Centers** King of Prussia Mall...
. The Gold medal was for completion of the reduction and arrangement of all the nebulae and clusters of stars observed by her brother in his sweeps. This also led the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
to elect her an Honorary Member.
The asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
281 Lucretia
281 Lucretia
281 Lucretia is an asteroid belonging to the Flora family in the Main Belt.It was discovered by Johann Palisa on October 31, 1888 in Vienna. It is named for the middle name of Caroline Herschel, one of the first female astronomers.-References:...
(discovered 1888) was named after Caroline's second given name, and the crater C. Herschel
C. Herschel (crater)
C. Herschel is a small lunar crater that lies on the western part of Mare Imbrium. It is a circular, bowl-shaped formation that has not undergone significant erosion. The interior floor has the same low albedo as the surrounding lunar mare. To the south-southwest is the similar crater Heis....
on the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is named after her.
Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Cecile Rich is an American poet, essayist and feminist. She has been called "one of the most widely read and influential poets of the second half of the 20th century."-Early life:...
's 1968 poem Planetarium celebrated Caroline Herschel's life and scientific achievements.
Further reading
- Holmes, Richard. The Age of Wonder: The Romantic Generation and the Discovery of the Beauty and Terror of Science (2009) ISBN 978-1-4000-3187-0, extensive coverage of the Herschels
External links
- Caroline Lucretia Herschel biography at fembio.org
- Caroline Herschel Biography, SEDS
- Caroline Herschel's Deepsky Objects, SEDS
- About the Herschel Museum of Astronomy
- Obituary of Miss Caroline Lucretia Herschel. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society is one of the world's leading scientific journals in astronomy and astrophysics. It has been in continuous existence since 1827 and publishes peer-reviewed letters and papers reporting original research in relevant fields...
, Vol. 8, p. 64 (1847). - Bibliography from the Astronomical Society of the PacificAstronomical Society of the PacificThe Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...