A commemorative stone was unveiled in Bath last Thursday, 25th August, to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of astronomer William Herschel.
Unveiling of the new commemorative stone | Photo © Bath Preservation Trust
The new stonework, in the garden of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy at 19 New King Street in Bath, marks the very spot where Herschel first glimpsed Uranus in 1781.
The first new planet discovered since antiquity, Herschel’s discovery of Uranus, using a telescope he made himself, doubled the size of the known solar system.
The discovery brought Herschel widespread fame and enabled the later discoveries that made him a key pioneer of modern astronomy.
The commemorative stone was hand-carved by local artist Iain Cotton and will also serve as a telescope platform.
The unveiling is just one of several events and initiatives from Bath Preservation Trust to commemorate Herschel 200, another highlight being a major exhibition focusing on the hugely-important achievements and contributions he made to the understanding of space.
The exhibition, organised in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society and the Herschel family, also brings collections to Bath for the first time and reveals the family’s story through original artefacts.
Herschel 200 explores William’s early life as a musician teaching and performing initially in Northern England, and from 1766 in Bath, where he also developed his interest in astronomy.
Visitors can find out about his innovations and discoveries, collaborations with his siblings, Caroline and Alexander, and the legacy he left behind.
For the first time, the museum is working in partnership with Slough Museum, as William and Caroline moved to Observatory House in Slough, after William became the King’s Astronomer.
Caroline later also received a salary as a professional astronomer. An accompanying exhibition will be on display in the Slough Museum.
The Royal Astronomical Society has loaned William’s observing notebook, which includes his notes from 13th March 1781 when he first observed the planet Uranus, as well as a catalogue of stars recorded by Caroline.
Also on display will be never-before exhibited letters from William to his brother Alexander, loaned from the Herschel family collection. A miniature portrait of William has also been loaned by the family and will be on display in the museum as part of the special anniversary year.
The exhibition has been curated with the involvement of local students who had the opportunity to develop content and learn curatorial skills with the support of the Museum’s professional staff.
Claire Dixon, Director of Museums for Bath Preservation Trust said: “The whole Herschel 200 project has been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and through the exhibition and our programme of wider activity we aim to inspire people not just with the family story, but their contemporary relevance to science and music today, encouraging young people in particular to participate.
“This aspect of our project is especially exciting as it enables us to work with a local artist-maker and support an independent creator based in Bath.”
