With courage and confidence, Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) becomes the
first woman professional scientist and one of the greatest astronomers
who ever lived.
Born the youngest daughter of a poor family in Hanover, Germany,
Caroline was scarred from smallpox, stunted from typhus, and used by her
parents as a scullery maid. But when her favorite brother, William, left
for England, he took her with him. The siblings shared a passion for
stars, and together they built the greatest telescope of their age,
working tirelessly on star charts.
Using their telescope, Caroline discovered fourteen nebulae and two
galaxies, was the first woman to discover a comet, and became the first
woman officially employed as a scientist--by no less than the King of
England. The information from the Herschels' star catalogs is still used
by space agencies today.
The book includes excerpts from Caroline Herschel's autobiography.
A 2018 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12.