What was the motivation that led to the discovery?
William Herschel was an accomplished musician in 18th century England. After achieving musical success his interests turned to the stars. He and his sister Caroline began cataloguing stars, keeping track of their positions, movements and taking many notes. Caroline is credited with keeping the notes organized and up to date. William began building telescopes to see more stars. (1) While surveying stars through his 7ft reflector telescope on March 13, 1781, seeking for double stars, Herschel first observed what was then to become a new planet. (2)
What questions were asked?
At first Herschel thought his observation was a comet. He made notes about his findings and continued his survey, but came back a few days later to check on the new object. He wanted to compare it’s position with the first sighting. Noting a difference he once again concluded it to be a comet. Herschels commentary and observations of the object raised many questions about his claim that it was a comet. Why did it not have a tail? Why was it so round? Why was it following the path of other planets through the sky? Other astronomers took his observations to work and concluded it was more likely a planet, which was confirmed. (2) …show more content…
This object had an observable change in diameter as it passed through the sky. It also followed the ecliptic path, or the general path all planets follow through the sky.
How did the discoverer(s) rely on the work of others?
After the planet was observed, mathematics was applied to its positioning using the work of Isaac Newton, which further confirmed it as a planet.
(1) Fernie, J. D. (2004). Stargazing siblings. American Scientist, 92(2), 186-188. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/docview/215260420?accountid=9817
(2) Uranus and the Establishment of Herschel's Astronomy, Schaffer,
William Herschel was an accomplished musician in 18th century England. After achieving musical success his interests turned to the stars. He and his sister Caroline began cataloguing stars, keeping track of their positions, movements and taking many notes. Caroline is credited with keeping the notes organized and up to date. William began building telescopes to see more stars. (1) While surveying stars through his 7ft reflector telescope on March 13, 1781, seeking for double stars, Herschel first observed what was then to become a new planet. (2)
What questions were asked?
At first Herschel thought his observation was a comet. He made notes about his findings and continued his survey, but came back a few days later to check on the new object. He wanted to compare it’s position with the first sighting. Noting a difference he once again concluded it to be a comet. Herschels commentary and observations of the object raised many questions about his claim that it was a comet. Why did it not have a tail? Why was it so round? Why was it following the path of other planets through the sky? Other astronomers took his observations to work and concluded it was more likely a planet, which was confirmed. (2) …show more content…
This object had an observable change in diameter as it passed through the sky. It also followed the ecliptic path, or the general path all planets follow through the sky.
How did the discoverer(s) rely on the work of others?
After the planet was observed, mathematics was applied to its positioning using the work of Isaac Newton, which further confirmed it as a planet.
(1) Fernie, J. D. (2004). Stargazing siblings. American Scientist, 92(2), 186-188. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/docview/215260420?accountid=9817
(2) Uranus and the Establishment of Herschel's Astronomy, Schaffer,