Discovery · 1781 CE
The Discovery of Uranus
History of Astronomy
Overview
William Herschel spotted a slow-moving object that proved to be a new planet far beyond Saturn — the first planet discovered since antiquity.
Why it matters
Doubled the radius of the known Solar System and made Herschel famous overnight.
Credit
Objects & facilities
Knowledge connections
- Discovered byWilliam Herschel
- Part ofModern Astronomy
- Related toUranus
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica
General reference for the history of astronomy, biographies, and cultural context.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.