Herschels

Herschels refers to the Herschel family, a prominent line of astronomers in the 18th and 19th centuries, most notably William Herschel, his sister Caroline Herschel, and his son John Herschel. The name is associated with major advances in observational astronomy and with scientific instruments and missions named in their honor.

William Herschel (1738–1822) was born Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel in Hanover and moved to Britain, where he became one of the era’s leading astronomers. In 1781 he discovered Uranus, expanding the known solar system. He built a series of large telescopes, including a renowned 40-foot instrument, and conducted pioneering work on celestial infrared radiation, helping to establish infrared as a component of astronomical study.

Caroline Herschel (1750–1848) was his sister and a pioneering female astronomer who assisted William and conducted her own research, including the discovery of several comets and the compilation of star catalogs. She became the first professional female astronomer in Britain and helped advance women’s participation in science.

John Herschel (1792–1871), William’s son, made major contributions to astronomy, including the systematic cataloging of nebulae and clusters, and helped develop early photographic methods. He extended the family’s observational program and contributed to the broader development of 19th‑century astronomical nomenclature and cataloging.

The Herschel name continues in modern astronomy through the ESA Herschel Space Observatory (launched in 2009 and operating in the far infrared and submillimeter range) and in the many celestial objects and institutions named in honor of the family. The surname remains a symbol of 18th–19th-century astronomical scholarship.