Sir William (originally Friedrich Wilhelm) Herschel (1738-1822) is one of the greatest figures in the history of astronomy. Born in Germany, he moved to England in 1757 and started his astronomical observations while working...

Buy Now From Amazon

Sir William (originally Friedrich Wilhelm) Herschel (1738-1822) is one of the greatest figures in the history of astronomy. Born in Germany, he moved to England in 1757 and started his astronomical observations while working as a professional musician in Bath. With the help of his sister, Caroline, Herschel began a series of systematic reviews of the heavens to record the motion and distribution of the stars. Using massive telescopes built by himself, Herschel was able to see much futher than any previous astronomer, and he was the first to give a correct description of the form of our galaxy, The Milky Way. In 1781 he discovered the planet Uranus, and in 1782 he was appointed King's Astronomer by George III. Eventually, when The Royal Astronomical Society was founded in 1820, Herschel became its president.

Similar Products

Buddhism in China: A Historical SurveyThe Impact of Buddhism on Chinese Material Culture (Buddhisms: A Princeton University Press Series)Inquiry Into the Origin of Humanity: An Annotated Translation of Tsung-Mi's Yuan Jen Lun with a Modern Commentary (Classics in East Asian Buddhism)The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-Chi