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Astronomer · 1750 CE – 1848 CE

Caroline Herschel

History of AstronomyModern Astronomy

Biography

Caroline Herschel worked alongside her brother William as an astronomer in her own right. She discovered eight comets, recorded numerous nebulae, and produced catalogues that fed into later deep-sky surveys. In 1787 she received a royal salary, becoming one of the first women paid for scientific work.

Scientific contributions

  • Discovered eight comets
  • Catalogued nebulae and star clusters
  • Among the first women paid for scientific work

Related scientists

Knowledge connections

Sources & references

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica

    General reference for the history of astronomy, biographies, and cultural context.

  • IAUInternational Astronomical Union

    Official naming, definitions, constellation boundaries, and astronomical nomenclature.