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)
A telescope with a power of penetrating into space has also, as it may be called, a power of penetrating into time past.
The discovery of the Georgium Sidus [Uranus] has opened a new field of astronomical inquiry.
The heavens afford an endless field of investigation, and every step we take in it adds to the beauty and harmony of the system.
It is probable that the great Author of the universe has created many such systems as the Milky Way.
The more we learn of the structure of the universe, the more we see evidence of design and order.
The sun is richly stored with inhabitants.
The light of the fixed stars is of the same nature with the light of the sun.
The rays which we receive from the sun are probably the means by which it influences the planets.
The construction of the heavens is a subject which seems to have been purposely concealed from the prying eye of man, till the present age.
The power of the telescope is not so much to magnify, as to collect light.
We may surmise that nebulae are the chaotic material of future suns.
The universe is a grand spectacle, exhibited by the Almighty for the instruction of his creatures.
Every improvement of the telescope opens a new field of discovery.
The Milky Way is a most extensive stratum of stars of various sizes.
The study of astronomy is calculated to elevate the mind, and to give it a just notion of its own insignificance.
The nebulous matter is self-luminous.
The discovery of the Georgium Sidus was the result of a systematic review of the heavens.
The heavens present us with a scene immense and magnificent.
The stars are suns, and the sun is a star.
The laws which govern the material universe are uniform and universal.
Contemporaries of William Herschel
Other Astronomys born within 50 years of William Herschel (1738–1822).