A pair of discoveries by him in 1787 are named for stage characters, a new practice in his field
On the episode of Jeopardy! airing Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Final Jeopardy category was “Historic Scientists.” The clue given to contestants was:
“A pair of discoveries by him in 1787 are named for stage characters, a new practice in his field.”
Who is William Herschel?
William Herschel, a German-born British astronomer, made significant contributions to the study of the cosmos. Best known for discovering the planet Uranus in 1781, he continued to explore the universe with his advanced telescopes. In 1787, he identified two additional celestial objects—moons orbiting Uranus—which he named Titania and Oberon after characters from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
This naming convention was a departure from the typical approach of that era, where moons and planets were often named after mythological figures from classical antiquity. Herschel’s choice marked a shift in astronomical nomenclature, introducing literary references into celestial naming practices—a tradition that would later be adopted by other astronomers.
The Moons of Uranus and Herschel’s Legacy
The two moons Herschel discovered, Titania and Oberon, are among the largest of Uranus’ 27 known natural satellites. Titania, the largest, has a diameter of approximately 1,578 kilometers, while Oberon, the second-largest, measures around 1,523 kilometers. Both moons are composed of ice and rock, with surfaces shaped by geological activity and impact craters.
Herschel’s discoveries expanded human knowledge of the outer solar system at a time when only a few planets and their satellites were known. His detailed observations and innovative techniques laid the groundwork for future discoveries, as astronomers refined their methods for detecting celestial bodies.
The Significance of Literary Names in Astronomy
Herschel’s decision to name the moons after Shakespearean characters set a precedent that was continued in the naming of later Uranian moons. Subsequent astronomers followed his lead, assigning names from both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest to additional moons of Uranus. This unique naming convention distinguishes Uranus’ satellites from those of other planets, which mostly bear names from Greco-Roman mythology.
The tradition of using literary figures in astronomical naming has since extended beyond Uranus. Moons of Neptune, for instance, are named after sea gods and nymphs from Greek mythology, while some craters and geological features on planetary bodies bear names of historical and literary significance.
William Herschel’s Broader Contributions
Beyond discovering moons and planets, Herschel made many other contributions to astronomy. He was the first to recognize infrared radiation, expanding the understanding of light beyond the visible spectrum. His meticulous cataloging of stars, nebulae, and galaxies helped shape modern astrophysics.
Herschel’s impact on science was recognized during his lifetime, as he was appointed King’s Astronomer by George III. His work remains foundational in astronomy, and his method of naming celestial bodies continues to influence the way new discoveries are classified. The moons Titania and Oberon serve as enduring reminders of his pioneering contributions to the field.