Observation by Alex Pratt: Caroline Herschel - Gartenfriedhof, Hann...

Uploaded by

Alex Pratt

Observer

Alex Pratt

Observed

2015 Aug 29 - 15:30

Uploaded

2024 Jul 14 - 11:43

Objects

Historical

Equipment
  • Still image mode on video camera
Location

Gartenfriedhof, Hannover, Germany

Target name

Caroline Herschel - Gartenfriedhof, Hannover

Title

Caroline Herschel - Gartenfriedhof, Hannover

About this image

 ESOP XXXIV (European Symposium on Occultations) was held in Hanover, Germany in 2015. During the meeting, the UK contingent made a special visit to the grave of Caroline Herschel in the Gartenfriedhof (garden cemetery), a tranquil park not far from the city centre. The photo shows Andrea Turner, Len Entwisle and NIck Turner paying their respects. It's a large memorial slab for such a petite lady, yet its size befits her stature in the history of observational astronomy.

 The German inscription reads (after Hesse):

 Hier ruhet die irdische Hülle von Caroline Herschel geboren zu Hannover den 16. März 1750 gestorben den 9. Januar 1848. Der Blick der Verklärten war hinieden dem gestirnten Himmel zugewandt, die eigenen Cometen Entdeckungen und die Theilnahme an den unsterblichen Arbeiten ihres Bruders Wilhelm Herschel zeugen davon bis in die späte Nachwelt. Die Königliche Irländische Akademie zu Dublin und die Königliche Astronomische Gesellschaft in London zählten sie zu ihren Mitgliedern. In dem Alter von 97 Jahren 9 Monaten 24 entschlief sie mit heiterer Ruhe und bei völliger Geisteskraft ihrem zu einem bessern Leben vorangegangenen Vater Herschel, folgend der ein Lebensalter von 60 Jahren 2 Monnaten und 17 Tagen erreichte und seit dem 25. März 1767 hieneben begraben liegt. 

According to ‘The Herschels of Hanover’ by Michael Hoskin, the original English wording was written by Caroline herself:

Here rest the earthly remains of Caroline Herschel  Born at Hanover 16th March 1750  Died  9th January 1848 The gaze of the deceased while here below, was turned towards the starry heavens; her own discovery of comets and her share in the immortal labours of her brother William Herschel will testify hereof to future generations. The Royal Irish Academy of Dublin and the Royal Astronomical Society of London counted her among their members. At the age of 97 years 9 months 24 days she fell asleep in the calm and cheerful possession of all her powers of mind, following to a better world her father Isaac Herschel who after attaining the age of 60 years 2 months 17 days was buried in this place 25th March 1767.

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