Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Flamsteed History of Astronomy Group Meeting.

Roy Hookway will talk about “A Knowledge of the Construction of the Heavens”.  It’s far too long since we had a Herschel-fest and many of you will remember Roy’s excellent talk last season about Charles Messier.

Isaac Herschel, a gardener turned musician, arrived in Hannover in 1731 and joined the Guards as an oboist. He married Anna Moritzen a year later and the union was to produce 10 children, 6 of whom survived. The children were given a modest schooling and the four boys taught to play the oboe and violin.

Three of the boys, Jacob, Alexander and Dietrich were to become members of George the Thirds court orchestra. The fourth boy, William, became world famous after his sensational discovery of Uranus. The youngest daughter, Caroline was plucked from domestic life by William, to become almost as famous an Astronomer in her own right.

The eldest daughter, Sophia had four sons who played in the orchestra of Queen Charlotte at Windsor Castle.

In their different ways no fewer than ten of Isaac and Anna’s immediate descendants were at one time or another in royal service.

The extraordinary achievements of William, and the contributions made to them by his siblings, are outlined in this presentation.

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE FLAMSTEED ASTRONOMY SOCIETY ONLY.

Please do not book a place on this event if you are not a member of the society. Your booking will be cancelled if your name does not appear on our membership database.