Caroline Herschel

Who was Caroline Herschel?

Caroline Lucretia Herschel was a German astronomer and the sister of astronomer Sir William Herschel with whom she worked throughout both of their careers. Her most significant contributions to astronomy were the discoveries of several comets and in particular the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet, which bears her name.

She was the first woman to be paid for her contribution to science, to be awarded a Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, and to be named an Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society. She was also named an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy. The King of Prussia presented her with a Gold Medal for Science, on the occasion of her 96th birthday.