Germany
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William Herschel (Sir Frederick William Herschel)
Hanover, Germany
Archival Overview
Astronomer and telescope builder who discovered planet Uranus in 1781 (the first planet found with a telescope), discovered infrared radiation, and mapped the Milky Way galaxy.
Biographical Record
Sir William Herschel (1738–1822), born in Hanover as an oboist in the military band, moved to Bath, England, where he worked as an organist and composer before pursuing astronomy. Hand-grinding the finest speculum metal reflecting telescopes of the era, he embarked on systematic surveys of the night sky with his sister Caroline.
On 13 March 1781, Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, expanding the boundaries of the known solar system for the first time since antiquity. In 1800, passing sunlight through a glass prism and measuring thermometer temperatures beyond the red end of the visible spectrum, he discovered invisible heat rays: *infrared radiation*. He constructed a colossal 40-foot telescope in Slough and cataloged over 2,500 new nebulae and star clusters.
Key Life Milestones
Discovery of the Planet Uranus
Discovered the seventh planet of the solar system using his homemade 6-inch reflecting telescope in Bath.
Discovery of Infrared Radiation
Discovered radiant thermal energy beyond the red edge of the visible spectrum using optical prisms and thermometers.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialUpton (Slough, Berkshire), United Kingdom