Discovery of Uranus by William Herschel in 1781
William Herschel was born November of 1738, in Germany. As he grew up, he loved music and played in a band. In 1759 he moved with his family to Great Britain. In Great Britain, he taught music and became an organist. In 1772, with his sister Caroline, he began his study of the stars.
Herschel and Caroline loved the night sky. As they were observing the sky one night in 1781, Herschel saw something moving ever so slowly in the sky. At first they thought it was a comet, for several more nights the two watched the sky for the same object. After a time, they rented a telescope, Herschel would observe through it and Caroline would record the images he saw. Eventually Herschel surmised that the moving object was not a comet, but a planet.
Herschel’s discovery was the first to be made in what was called …show more content…
Science.com further states, “In 1787, he discovered two moons around Uranus: Titania and Oberon. In 1789, using his larger telescope, he found Saturn's sixth and seventh moons, Enceladus and Mimas.”
William Herschel discovered further information about the night sky/space, including offering the name of “asteroids” for huge areas that were discovered in 1801. Herschel received awards for his discoveries, was knighted for his discovery of Uranus the 7th planet in the solar system, and wrote many papers of his discoveries. Space.com further writes, “Herschel died in England on Aug. 25, 1822, at the age of 84. Craters on the moon, Mars, and Mimas are named for the astronomer. The asteroid 2000 Herschel bears his name, and the symbol for the planet Uranus features the capital letter H in his honor.” William Herschel knew a lot about the night sky. He gave his whole life to the discovery of what is now studied by scientists. His contributions in the 1700’s are far
William Herschel was born November of 1738, in Germany. As he grew up, he loved music and played in a band. In 1759 he moved with his family to Great Britain. In Great Britain, he taught music and became an organist. In 1772, with his sister Caroline, he began his study of the stars.
Herschel and Caroline loved the night sky. As they were observing the sky one night in 1781, Herschel saw something moving ever so slowly in the sky. At first they thought it was a comet, for several more nights the two watched the sky for the same object. After a time, they rented a telescope, Herschel would observe through it and Caroline would record the images he saw. Eventually Herschel surmised that the moving object was not a comet, but a planet.
Herschel’s discovery was the first to be made in what was called …show more content…
Science.com further states, “In 1787, he discovered two moons around Uranus: Titania and Oberon. In 1789, using his larger telescope, he found Saturn's sixth and seventh moons, Enceladus and Mimas.”
William Herschel discovered further information about the night sky/space, including offering the name of “asteroids” for huge areas that were discovered in 1801. Herschel received awards for his discoveries, was knighted for his discovery of Uranus the 7th planet in the solar system, and wrote many papers of his discoveries. Space.com further writes, “Herschel died in England on Aug. 25, 1822, at the age of 84. Craters on the moon, Mars, and Mimas are named for the astronomer. The asteroid 2000 Herschel bears his name, and the symbol for the planet Uranus features the capital letter H in his honor.” William Herschel knew a lot about the night sky. He gave his whole life to the discovery of what is now studied by scientists. His contributions in the 1700’s are far