2022 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Sir William Herschel. Arriving in England as a young man from his native Hanover, he initially made his living as a musician. Later he was joined by his sister Caroline. A great astronomical discovery in 1781 was to change both their lives, enabling him to become a full-time astronomer. His son John inherited his father's great interest and ability in all things scientific. We will examine the lives and contributions of this great family.
Course aim
To explore the contributions made to astronomy by Sir William Herschel, his sister Caroline and his son, Sir John.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- State two major discoveries made by Sir William Herschel to astronomy.
- State one major contribution of Caroline Herschel to astronomy.
- State one major contribution of Sir John Herschel to astronomy/science
What else do I need to know?
A note pad and paper will be useful. You will need internet access as the course is online.
View full course information sheet
Astronomy - 200 Years - William Herschel and the Herschel Dynasty
