Person
Caroline Herschel
German astronomer, whose most significant contributions to astronomy were the discoveries of several comets
Caroline Lucretia Herschel (March 16, 1750 – January 9, 1848) is a German astronomer, whose most significant contributions to astronomy were the discoveries of several comets, including the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet, which bears her name.
She is the younger sister of astronomer William Herschel, with whom she works throughout her career.
She is the first woman to be awarded a Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1828), and to be named an Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society (1835, with Mary Somerville).
She is also named an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy (1838).
The King of Prussia presents her with a Gold Medal for Science on the occasion of her 96th birthday (1846).