William Herschel
/ˌwɪljəm ˈhɜːʃl/
/ˌwɪljəm ˈhɜːrʃl/
- (1738-1822) a British astronomer (= scientist who studies the stars, planets, etc.), born in Germany. He was originally a musician but became an astronomer by studying the sky through telescopes he made himself. He discovered Uranus, the first new planet to be identified since ancient times, and proved the existence of double stars. After becoming the official astronomer to King George III, he was made a knight in 1816.
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William Herschel