Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) made huge contributions to the field of astronomy. She was the first woman to discover a comet, and the first woman officially recognized in a scientific position.
Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) made huge contributions to the field of astronomy. She was the first woman to discover a comet, and the first woman officially recognized in a scientific position.
Special thanks to Mercedes-Benz, our exclusive sponsor this month! From their early days, Mercedes-Benz has built a legacy championing women to achieve the unexpected. Join us all month long as we celebrate women who have led dynamic lives that have shifted, evolved and bloomed, often later in life, eventually achieving the success for which they were destined from the start.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Ale Tejeda, Sara Schleede, and Alex Jhamb Burns. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan, and this is Womanica.
This month, we're highlighting women who've led dynamic lives. Ones that have shifted, evolved and bloomed, often later in life.
Today’s dynamo made huge contributions to the field of astronomy. She was the first woman to discover a comet, and the first woman officially recognized in a scientific position.
Please welcome Caroline Herschel.
Caroline Lucretia Herschel was born in Hanover, Germany on March 16, 1750. Her father was a gardener by trade and also a talented musician. He encouraged each of his children to study music, mathematics, and French.
When Caroline was 10 years old, she was struck with typhus. The illness stunted her growth. Her parents told her she would never marry and would live her life as an old maid. Her mother wanted Caroline to become a house servant. But her father gave her lessons so she could receive an education.
At age 22, Caroline’s brother William invited her to live with him in Bath, England. William was a musician and conductor. Caroline worked as his housekeeper, while William gave her singing lessons. Caroline became a prominent soprano singer in Bath.
In his free time, William studied astronomy. He made a name for himself building powerful telescopes. Caroline gradually developed an interest in astronomy as well and at age 32 became her brother’s apprentice. She was quick and nimble when cleaning mirrors and mounting telescopes, and careful and meticulous when recording and organizing William’s observations.
In 1781, William made a major achievement in the field of astronomy: he discovered Uranus. He was knighted and appointed court astronomer to King George III.
In 1783, William began a 20-year survey of the night sky. Dividing the sky into sections, he stood on a ladder at his telescope and called out his observations to Caroline, who then recorded them. Together, they documented 2,500 new nebulae and star clusters.
Caroline also did some of her own studies. She spent her free time with a 27-inch telescope, looking at the night sky. On her own, she discovered 14 new nebulae,.
On August 1, 1786, Caroline observed an object moving slowly through the sky. The next night, she saw it again. She had become the first woman to discover a comet.
In 1787, King George III officially employed her as William’s assistant. She was finally getting recognition for her astronomy skills. Caroline was paid 50 pounds annually, making her the first woman to be paid for scientific services.
William married in 1788, meaning Caroline was no longer responsible for being his housekeeper. She had more free time to dedicate to her astronomy studies.
Over the next decade, Caroline discovered seven more comets and submitted more than 550 new stars to England’s existing star catalog.
William died in 1822, and Caroline returned to Germany to live with her brother Dietrich. She still continued her astronomical studies and received many awards for her talents and discoveries. In 1835, Caroline became one of the first women to receive an honorary membership into the Royal Society alongside fellow female scientist Mary Somerville. In 1846, on her 96th birthday, the King of Prussia presented Caroline with a Gold medal for Science.
Caroline died January 9, 1848 at 98 years old. Her tombstone reads “The eyes of her who is glorified here below turned to the starry heavens.” Several comets are named in her honor, as well as a lunar crater C. Herschel and the asteroid Lucretia.
All month, we’re highlighting the stories of lifelong learners. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
As always, we’re taking a break for the weekend. Talk to you on Monday!