Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750 – 1848) was an English astronomer of German origin. In particular, she discovered new comets, including one that bears her name.
In charge of household chores
Caroline Herschel was born on March 16, 1750 in Hanover, Germany, into a family of musicians; she was the fifth of ten children born to her parents, Anna Ilse and Isaac Herschel. At ten, Caroline suffers from typhus, which interrupts her growth; her family then assumes that she will never marry and will become a servant.
Her father died in 1767 and Caroline found herself in charge of the household chores in the house, especially the kitchen. Also, when her brother William, living in England for 10 years, invites her to join him, she immediately seizes the opportunity. In Bath, he led a dual career as organist and music teacher. Caroline takes singing lessons from him and embarks on a career as a singer.
Professional astronomer
William develops a great interest in astronomy, which he practices as a hobby, and Caroline joins him in his passion. First by assisting him, then by making his own observations. On March 13, 1781, William discovered a new planet behind Saturn; he names it Georgium Sidus, but it eventually takes the name of Saturn's father in mythology, Uranus. The following year, he became private astronomer to King George III and William and Caroline moved near Windsor Castle.
Caroline Herschel then abandoned her singing career to devote herself to astronomy, helping her brother and launching her own work. From 1781 to 1797, she discovered seven comets and three nebulae. In 1787, George III also granted her a fixed salary, and Caroline became a professional astronomer. In May 1788, she had to move because her brother married Mary Pitt, a young widow. Bitter, it is likely that she felt driven out of her own home and relations between brother and sister are strained for a while. Mary, however, does everything to maintain a good relationship with Caroline.
After William's death in 1822, Caroline returned to live in Hanover where she continued her work. In 1828, the English Royal Astronomical Society awarded her its Gold Medal, a prestigious honor that she was the only woman to receive until Vera Rubin in 1996.
Caroline Herschel died in Hanover on January 9, 1848.