Herschel Museum Of Astronomy

Object of the Month: From the mid-1780s, Caroline Herschel started to record the names of everyone who came to Observatory House in Datchet to look through William's telescopes. Guests were often accompanied by the King and Queen. The vellum-bound visitor's book lists over a hundred names, including scientists, writers, artists, politicians and foreign royalty.

Have you got any plans for half term yet? We've got many Native American moon calendars waiting to be designed! Find out more at http://ow.ly/TVHm50khxWj

We're very excited that our Patron Brian May and David J. Eicher visited the museum yesterday, before promoting their book Mission Moon 3D in Bath! A lovely surprise for our visitors 😄 Get a copy of the book in our museum shop

Visit BPT museums during half term for family activities free with normal admission. Dressing-up at No. 1 Royal Crescent, solving riddles and finding items at Museum of Bath Architecture, and making a Native American Moon Calendar at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Available during opening hours as a drop-in activity. Remember that B&NES Discovery Card holders benefit from 50% discount.

First night-time stargazing of 2019: Fri 15 Feb, 6-9pm, with #BathAstronomers in the garden of #HerschelMuseum where planet Uranus was discovered. Several star-gazing events are scheduled this year so do check the website. Both night-time and day-time solar viewing too.
https://herschelmuseum.org.uk/event/starg azing-at-night/
#stargazing #astronomy #lunareclipse #brianmay #telescope #uranus

Visit the Herschel Museum of Astronomy to have the opportunity to take part in night time stargazing from the very house and garden where brother and sister astronomers William and Caroline Herschel lived and where the Planet Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781.
Weather dependent with back-up talk/activities in case of bad weather.
Adult £10... Concessions/Students £7 Child £4 (Age 8+)
Limited number of tickets so please reserve your place by calling 01225 446865 or emailing jmiddleton@bptrust.org.uk, then you can pay on the evening.
Generously supported by Bath Astronomers
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We're open! After a month of hard work, the museum is ready to welcome you back 😃 Visit us on weekdays 1pm - 5pm or on weekends and Bank Holidays 10am - 5pm

Object of the Month: The mirror in the drawing room is a girondelle made from gilded wood. It has candles attached to it and the mirror is used to reflect the light, making the room seem brighter. This particular girondelle mirror was made c. 1750 and is decorated with leaves and flowers. It was acquired from Manchester Museum.

We’re looking great in the snow, visit us for our season launch this weekend and warm up with our collections!

Wednesday Quiz: Herschel's Garnet Star was observed by William in 1783 and he wrote about it in the Philosophical transactions of the Royal Astronomical Society of London in the section called, "Stars newly come to be visible". It is well known for its deep red or orange colour. Do know the official name of this star?

Wednesday Quiz: William Herschel was appointed the King's Personal Astronomer in 1782, but he never received the title of Astronomer Royal. Do you know why that is and how he got his position?

Wednesday Quiz: William Herschel spent at least half of his professional life as a musical composer, teacher and performer and certainly combined musical instruments with astronomy. When he moved to Bath he was appointed as organist of the Octagon chapel. However, he couldn't play the organ for his introductory concert on 1 January 1767, do you know why?

We're one week into 2019 already! Do you have any astronomy-related resolutions for this year? 🔭 Let us know in the comments, we'd love to hear 😃

HALF TERM. Celebrate the Supermoon on 19 February when its face will be fully illuminated. Early Native American tribes gave different names to the full moon during the year. Come and find out more and make your own Native American Moon calendar to take home.
Free with normal admission to the museum. A drop-in activity available all day.

Item of the month: Lunar Globe by John Russell John Russell ( 1745-1806 ) was a portaitist and keen amateur astronomer. He painted a portrait of William Herschel and bought a telescope from him. Russell had a specific interest in the moon and built the first scientific lunar globe, this is a later model. Lunar globes only show the visible half of the moon's surface, leaving the back of the globe usually blank.

New Year's 💫 news and updates including new 🎉 exhibitions - . Help us reveal the face of Mr Henry Sandford and read about early 2019 campaigning challenges across Bathhttps://mailchi.mp/bptrust.org.uk/new -years-news-and-updates-including-new-ex hibitions

We're open until 2 Jan so don't miss last chance to see Wonder Women of Space exhibition & marvel at women's contributions to astronomy in the past and present day. STEM Women For Women in Science Sciencegrrl Jones Visit Bath Hotels StayinBath.org http://ow.ly/S3Pc30n2HyR Somerset Live

⭐️⭐️ 26 December 1785, William Herschel discovered the Cone nebula, associated with a star cluster known as the Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264). A very fitting name if you ask us! 🎄🎄

⭐️🎄 Happy Christmas! 🎄⭐ ️Did you know that the first song performed live in space was Jingle Bells? 🔔 The crew of Gemini 6 brought a harmonica and bell with them into space in December 1965... Jingle all the way!

Such a lovely museum! So worth the visit. So many genuine items from the Herschel’s and so incredible to think Uranus was discovered at the house.

Pure escapism visiting the exquisite little house where such mighty discoveries were made. He found Uranus in his back garden and it's amazing to stand in the same place. Very much enjoyed the visit.

Great museum. Very well presented with friendly, helpful staff. Highly recommended for anybody visiting Bath

Good little Museum. I really learnt a lot. I thought the video they show you gave a great background and they had some interesting things to look at.



I never knew he was actually a musician by trade (astronomy was a hobby to begin with) or that his sister was an accomplished astronomer in her own right.

Fantastic Museum great piece of History highly recommend anyone to visit

Fabulous little place - full of interesting items and information on the whole Herschel family! Thank you

Absolutely loved this place and what a find! It was once the place where Herschel lived and worked and you can see the exact spot in his garden where he discovered the planet Uranus. Inside you see his workshop and living quarters and a room where a short video is played about his life's work. Very interesting to see what a typical georgian house and garden once looked like. Some great exhibits inside. Very informative. A real must on any visit to Bath you won't be disappointed.

A wonderful find in Bath, the home of William and Caroline Herschel, and the place where Willism built his telescope with which he discovered Uranus. Also very generous in its coverage of the contribution of his sister, Caroline, a great astronomer in her own right. Enlightening and inspiring for anyone with an interest in the Georgian era, science, and music (the Herschels were also great musicians, and William composed many fine pieces).

Such a lovely museum! So worth the visit. So many genuine items from the Herschel’s and so incredible to think Uranus was discovered at the house.

Pure escapism visiting the exquisite little house where such mighty discoveries were made. He found Uranus in his back garden and it's amazing to stand in the same place. Very much enjoyed the visit.

Great museum. Very well presented with friendly, helpful staff. Highly recommended for anybody visiting Bath

Good little Museum. I really learnt a lot. I thought the video they show you gave a great background and they had some interesting things to look at.



I never knew he was actually a musician by trade (astronomy was a hobby to begin with) or that his sister was an accomplished astronomer in her own right.

Fantastic Museum great piece of History highly recommend anyone to visit

Fabulous little place - full of interesting items and information on the whole Herschel family! Thank you

Absolutely loved this place and what a find! It was once the place where Herschel lived and worked and you can see the exact spot in his garden where he discovered the planet Uranus. Inside you see his workshop and living quarters and a room where a short video is played about his life's work. Very interesting to see what a typical georgian house and garden once looked like. Some great exhibits inside. Very informative. A real must on any visit to Bath you won't be disappointed.

A wonderful find in Bath, the home of William and Caroline Herschel, and the place where Willism built his telescope with which he discovered Uranus. Also very generous in its coverage of the contribution of his sister, Caroline, a great astronomer in her own right. Enlightening and inspiring for anyone with an interest in the Georgian era, science, and music (the Herschels were also great musicians, and William composed many fine pieces).