Biography
William Herschel was a German-born musician who became the most prolific observer of his age, building the largest telescopes in the world. In 1781 he discovered Uranus — the first planet found since antiquity — doubling the size of the known Solar System, and he later discovered infrared light and mapped the structure of the Milky Way.
Scientific contributions
- Discovered the planet Uranus (1781)
- Discovered infrared radiation
- Surveyed and catalogued thousands of nebulae and double stars
Major discoveries
Related scientists
Observatories, instruments & objects
Knowledge connections
- DiscoveredUranus
- Part ofModern Astronomy
- InfluencedJohn Herschel
- InfluencedCaroline Herschel
- ObservedUranus
- Collaborated withCaroline Herschel
- DiscoveredThe Discovery of Uranus
- Associated withThe History of the Telescope
- Associated withDreyer's General Catalogues
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.