At the time of this writing, June 23, Jupiter was about half a degree left of the afternoon Sun and due to pass behind it ...

On this day in 1781, William Herschel discovered Uranus. It’s also the birthdate of Percival Lowell in 1855 and the day Lowell Observatory announced Pluto’s discovery in 1930.

“Recently, there has been a rare alignment of the seven planets visible in the night sky. William Herschel discovered Uranus, the seventh planet.

He discovered the planet Uranus, infrared radiation, two of Saturn’s moons and composed many great symphonies. ... William Herschel, the genius who lived in Sunderland.

I think it is compelling from a psychological point of view, because he really didn't have much to compare it with at the time." Other astronomers have dismissed the possibility that Herschel ...

In 1781, German-born British astronomer William Herschel made Uranus the first planet discovered with the aid of a telescope. This frigid planet, our solar system's third largest, remains a bit of ...

How did Uranus get its name? English astronomer William Herschel discovered the ice giant in 1781 and tried unsuccessfully to name it after King George III, according to NASA.

How did Uranus get its name? English astronomer William Herschel discovered the ice giant in 1781 and tried unsuccessfully to name it after King George III, according to NASA.

Watch on How did Uranus get its name? English astronomer William Herschel discovered the ice giant in 1781 and tried unsuccessfully to name it after King George III, according to NASA.

On March 13, 1781, William Herschel looked through his telescope and saw Uranus. It was a monumental discovery for the world of science, but that wasn’t the only reason it was impressive.