The Herschels and Modern Astronomy

The book traces the careers and contributions of members of the Herschel family, sketching their early backgrounds, observational and instrumental achievements, and systematic surveys of the heavens. It recounts major discoveries, methodological experiments, and expeditions, assesses published writings and laboratory investigations, and highlights the family's influence on later astronomical practice. Biographical chapters on the women and men of the family alternate with technical discussions, producing a combined portrait of practical observation, theoretical inquiry, and the institutional contexts that shaped modern astronomy.