Meet the Herschels

Guest Speaker

Thursday, 5th February 2026 (19:45 - 22:00)

Venue: Hybrid

Dr. Sue Bowler, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS) from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, will be presenting a talk on the Herschel family to the MSAS, er presentation will focus on Sir William Herschel (1738–1822) and his sister Caroline Herschel (1750–1848), who were pioneers in the systematic classification and investigation of the heavens; William, originally Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel, was born in Hanover, Germany, and began his career as a musician before transitioning to astronomy. He discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 and later identified infrared radiation in 1800 Caroline, who moved to Bath with her brother in 1772, became the first woman to be paid as a professional astronomer and discovered seven comets and three nebulae. Sue will explain their significant contributions to astronomy, including William's construction of large telescopes and his work on cataloguing the universe, and Caroline's meticulous observations and publications

Join online if you can't meet us at the meeting room HERE

Speaker: Sue Bowler

Dr Sue Bowler is an experienced science editor, writer, and communicator with a 30-year history in science research communication, specializing in astronomy, geophysics, geology, and general physical sciences  She has served as the Editor of the Royal Astronomical Society's magazine, *Astronomy & Geophysics* (A&G), and its associated website, A&G Forum, for 24 years  She launched *Astronomy & Geophysics* in 1996, developing it into a news and Dr Sue Bowler is an experienced editor, writer, and science communicator with a 30-year history in science research communication, specializing in astronomy, geophysics, geology, and general physical sciences  She has served as the Editor of the Royal Astronomical Society's magazine, *Astronomy & Geophysics* (A&G), and its associated website, A&G Forum, for 24 years  She launched *Astronomy & Geophysics* in 1996, developing it into a news and reviews magazine for RAS Fellows 

Learn more about Sue Bowler