Breaking a 350-Year Barrier: First Female Scientist Appointed as Astronomer Royal in UK

Dougherty, Imperial College Space Physicist,
Appointed as the United Kingdom's Top Astronomical Authority, "Astronomer Royal"
First Studied Science at University... "Unbelievable"

Professor Michele Dougherty, a space physicist at Imperial College London, has been appointed as the Astronomer Royal, the most prestigious position in the field of astronomy in the United Kingdom. On July 31, Yonhap News reported, "The UK Cabinet Office has appointed Professor Dougherty as the 16th Astronomer Royal, making her the first woman to hold this post."

Professor Michelle Doherty, appointed as the Royal Astronomer of the British Royal Family, Imperial College London, Astrophysics. Royal Astronomical Society website

The position of Astronomer Royal was established by King Charles II in 1675 when he founded the Royal Observatory in Greenwich (Greenwich Observatory) to advance navigation. The Astronomer Royal leads the observatory and reports on astronomical matters to the monarch. Although it is an honorary title with a 350-year tradition, it is regarded as a highly meaningful post for scholars, as it signifies recognition as a leading authority in contemporary astronomy.

According to Yonhap News, Professor Dougherty has focused her research on the magnetic fields of planets and achieved significant results, including discovering the presence of water and hydrocarbons in the atmosphere surrounding Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons. She was responsible for analyzing Saturn's magnetic field data in the Cassini-Huygens mission, a joint Saturn exploration project by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), and also served as the principal investigator for the magnetometer on ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission. In 2008, she received the Hughes Medal from the Royal Society, which is awarded to scholars who make original discoveries in electricity, magnetism, or their applications.

She was born in 1962 in South Africa and made her first observation of Jupiter at the age of 10 using a telescope built by her father. According to British media such as The Guardian, Professor Dougherty was unable to study science at all during her secondary school years because science subjects were not offered. However, her aptitude for mathematics allowed her to take science courses at university, where she quickly demonstrated her talent and became a renowned scientist.

In a government statement, Professor Dougherty said, "When I was young, I never imagined I would be involved in planetary missions or even work in science, so it is unbelievable to have been appointed as Astronomer Royal." She added, "Through this role, I want to engage with the public and show how fascinating astronomy is and how important it is to our daily lives."

In the 350-year history of the position, there have been a total of 15 Astronomer Royals, all of whom were men. The first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, was the first to record observations of Uranus in 1690, and the second, Edmond Halley, is famous for calculating the orbit of Halley's Comet. The seventh, George Biddell Airy, reorganized the Greenwich meridian system, which led to the adoption of the Prime Meridian in the next generation.

In an interview with BBC Radio, Professor Dougherty said, "I've always wanted to make it clear that if I am chosen for any role, it is because of what I have achieved, not because I am a woman." She added, "If young girls see someone like me and dream that they too might be able to do this in the future, then I will have accomplished one of the things I set out to do."