UK gets first female Astronomer Royal in 350 years

Astigist Prof Michele Dougherty did not study science in secondary school – instead of using his father’s telescope, he was inspired to learn more about the field.

Now, the first woman assigned to the royal of England’s astronomer in the 350 -year history of Post and is part of the team that sends a probe to the icy months of Jupiter.

His appointment to BBC News on Wednesday, King III. Charles said he hoped that he would inspire more women and girls as an official advisor on astronomical issues.

The new astronomer, Royal, added that he wanted to use his new role in space wonders to “open the eyes of people”.

“Interaction with the public, exciting them about what we do in astronomy, but I also make it clear how important it is for the economy of the UK.” He said.

Prof Docherty is in one of the most exciting space missions up to date: a European Space Agency investigation into Jupiter’s icy months to evaluate whether they have the potential to support life.

“It would be surprising if there was no life in our solar system,” he said, laughing, with uninformed enthusiasm.

He began his journey to Jupiter at the age of ten and saw the planet with a telescope built by his sister and father.

“That’s when I got my first opinion about Jupiter and four major months, he never thought I would send an instrument to a spacecraft.” He said.

“I think I have to squeeze myself, and now I have to squeeze myself because I’m a astronomer Royal!”

Prof Dougherty’s success is even more remarkable because he did not study science in secondary school in South Africa, where he grew up.

“I had a choice between schools. One taught science, but no friend was going to it,” he said. “So as a 13 -year -old young child, I want to go with my friends.”

However, the young prof Dougherty was so good in mathematics that he was admitted to a science course at the university.

“The first few years were difficult. It was like learning a new language,” he said.

However, he was caught soon and came to England to become one of the country’s leading space scientists, and at the same time he showed a tremendous courage and talent.

“I said yes to the things I don’t know how to do it and I learned more and more,” he said.

The role of the astronomer is based on the creation of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich in 1675. John Flamsteed from Derby became the first to play the role. The work at that time was mostly advised the King to use stars to improve navigation at sea.

Dr. Louise Devoy, the senior curator of the observatory, explained that the work has developed over the years and has become one of the most important scientific voices of the country.

“In the 1800s, astronomer began to be called to act as a royal government advisor, so it may be to advise on railways, bridges or telegrams that are a number of topics beyond astronomy.” He said.

“If we move quickly to the 20th century, you have to develop more international cooperation, so you have British astronomers working in Chile, Canary Islands and even the telescopes in the James Webb space telescope.”

More than three and a half centuries, 15 people assumed the task of the most senior astronomer for the entire England. However, at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Prof Catherine Heyman has been equivalent to Scotland as a royal royal royal.

He was happy to hear Prof Dougherty’s appointment.

“For the last 350 years, astronomer’s royal title has been held by a white male astronomer, and he reflected how such astronomical community has been looking for the last few centuries. But things are changing.”

“Science becomes more diverse, if we want to answer these big questions, and now I am absolutely very happy to reflect that two astronomers are women and that science is for everyone.”

Prof Dougherty does not want to greatly do the fact that he is the first woman to assume the task across the UK, but hopes that he will inspire others to follow footprints.

“I think it is important. Especially when young children see someone who looks like doing a job, especially when they thought they would never get the opportunity to do, they changed their mentality a little.”

Prof Dougherty experienced it between 2018-2024 when he was the head of the physics department in Imperial College. During this period, the percentage of women’s undergraduate students in the first year to Imperial rose from approximately 19% to 25%.

“Not a big change,” he said, “but there was a positive change. And I think they saw that students played a role in the future.”