Planetary Sizes, including Planet Herschel
A plan of the solar system, exhibiting relative magnitudes and distances. The planet Uranus is here called Herschel. Historical engraving, 18th century. William Herschel discovered Uranus on 13 March 1781, expanding the known boundaries of the Solar System and making it the first planet discovered with a telescope. Consensus on the name was not reached until almost 70 years after the planet's discovery. Herschel decided to name the object Georgium Sidus (George's Star), or the Georgian Planet in honor of his new patron, King George III. This was not popular outside Britain, and a French astronomer Jerome Lalande proposed it be called Herschel
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13345588
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47788546
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© Science Source / Mary Evans Picture Library
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