Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750-1848),German- born British astronomer. Caroline was the sister of William Herschel (1738-1822),and moved from Hanover,Germany,to join him in London,England,in 1772. Both gave up careers in music to study astronomy. Starting as William's assistant,Caroline became a fine astronomer in her own right,the first woman recognised as such. She was particularly interested in comets,discovering eight new ones between 1786 and 1797. After her brother's death in 1822,Caroline returned to Hanover,where she died at the age of 98. This artwork shows Herschel in Hanover in 1847,the year before she died |