Caroline Herschel

Caroline Lucretia Herschel was a pioneering German-born British astronomer and the younger sister of William Herschel. After a difficult childhood marked by typhus that stunted her growth, she joined her brother in Bath, England, initially as a singer. When William turned to astronomy, Caroline became his indispensable assistant, grinding and polishing telescope mirrors and recording observations through long cold nights. She soon became an accomplished observer in her own right, discovering eight comets (five of which bear her name) and 14 nebulae using a small Newtonian reflector. In 1787, King George III granted her an annual salary of 50 pounds — making her the first woman in England to receive a government salary for scientific work. She later reorganized and expanded John Flamsteed's star catalog, adding 561 stars he had missed. She received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1828 and was elected an honorary member in 1835, the first woman so honored.

Discovered eight comets (five bearing her name), including 35P/Herschel-Rigollet. Discovered 14 nebulae, later incorporated into the NGC catalog. First woman to receive a salary as a professional astronomer (1787). Reorganized Flamsteed's British Catalogue, adding 561 omitted stars. First woman awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1828).