CAROLINE HERSCHEL

Caroline Herschel

Caroline Herschel was the first woman to spot a comet. After 266 years since its birth, Google pays tribute to all his contributions with a doodle.

In his honor, one of the craters on the moon says Caroline Herschel.

Born in Hanover, -then Prusia- on 16 March 1750, he was helping his brother, William Herschel, who discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 and worked for King George III of England.

Caroline Herschel was the result of parents with a different view of the world. His father was musical culture that wanted to give their children an education in different disciplines, from astronomy to music and languages. His mother thought that was enough women know how to read or write to guide their homes. His father gave him lessons on the sly music and astronomy; but he died in 1762.

A trip accompanying his brother to England, in Bath who worked as conductor and organist, changed the life of Caroline Herschel. William Herschel gave his sister classes of mathematics, astronomy and English, while, thanks to him, could also continue their education in music to become a soprano.

William received the title of Astronomer Royal in 1781 after discovering the planet Uranus, and since then, both brothers were devoted to the study of the heavens. Caroline Herschel collaborated with his brother in the design and construction of telescopes and cataloging their comments; together they discover a thousand double stars. However, the findings of individual Caroline barely received credit. With a salary assigned by King George III as an assistant to his brother, though, reached financial independence.

After his return to Hanover after the death of his brother, Caroline Herschel received many honors. Among them, the gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, in 1828, a company of which he was named an honorary member in 1835 at 85 years of age. He died in 1848 at 97 years of age.