Caroline Herschel discovered eight comets and was the first woman to earn her living from science. Born in 1750, she struggled to be allowed to work – her own preoccupations were always second to the demands of her family. Her brother was the astronomer William Herschel who discovered the planet Uranus. A new biography ‘Comet Sweeper’ by Claire Brock examines Herschel’s life and significance. Nicola Swords spoke to Dr Brock and to Ian Morrison from Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire.
‘The Comet Sweeper; Caroline Herschel’s Astronomical Ambition’ is by Claire Brock and is published by Icon books ISBN-10: 1-84046-720-7
