William Herschel
He discovered Uranus and its two moons, and pioneered the study of nebulae and star clusters.
Most quoted
"The heavens are now seen to resemble a luxuriant garden, which contains the greatest variety of productions, in different flourishing beds; and one advantage we may at least reap from it is, that we can, as it were, extend the range of our experience to an immense duration."
— from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 1789
"I have looked further into space than ever human being did before me. I have observed stars of which the light, it is computed, must take two millions of years to reach the earth."
— from Letter to his sister Caroline Herschel, 1789
"The astronomer, who is acquainted with the immensity of the universe, will not easily be persuaded to believe that this little spot is the sole abode of life and intelligence."
— from Attributed saying
All quotes by William Herschel (406)
Many of the nebulae are not resolvable into stars, but are truly nebulous matter.
The sun is a most magnificent and stupendous body, and the source of all light and heat to the planetary system.
We may perhaps suppose that the sun is a habitable world.
The stars are not all of the same magnitude, nor are they all at the same distance.
The power of my telescopes is such that I can see objects that no one has ever seen before.
The discovery of Uranus was a fortunate accident, but it was an accident that I was prepared for.
The light of the stars is not all of the same color.
The universe is far more vast and complex than we can imagine.
The nebulae are not merely distant star clusters, but are often truly diffuse matter.
The Milky Way is a flattened disk of stars, with our sun near the center.
The power of my telescopes has opened up a new universe to my view.
The nebulae are the nurseries of stars.
The stars are not all of the same age.
The universe is not empty, but filled with a vast array of celestial objects.
The discovery of new celestial objects is a constant source of wonder and delight.
The sun is not a solid body, but a luminous atmosphere surrounding a dark nucleus.
The stars are not uniformly distributed throughout space.
The universe is a living, breathing entity, constantly changing and evolving.
The study of the heavens reveals the grandeur and wisdom of the Creator.
The nebulae are not all of the same form or nature.
Contemporaries of William Herschel
Other Astronomys born within 50 years of William Herschel (1738–1822).