Astronomer Prof Michele Dougherty did not study science in secondary school – but was instead inspired to learn more about space after using her father’s telescope.Now she is the first woman to be appointed the UK’s Astronomer Royal in the post’s 350-year history, and is part of the team sending probes to Jupiter’s icy moons.
She told BBC News she hoped her appointment on Wednesday as the official adviser to King Charles III on astronomical matters would inspire more women and girls to study science.
Prof Dougherty is involved in one of the most exciting space missions to date: a European Space Agency probe to the icy moons of Jupiter to assess whether they have the potential to support life.
Her journey to Jupiter began at the age of 10 and saw the planet through a telescope she, her sister and her father built.
The role of Astronomer Royal dates back to the creation of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich in 1675. John Flamsteed from Derby was the first person to fill the role. The observatory’s senior curator, Dr Louise Devoy, explained that the job evolved over the years, to become one of the most important scientific voices in the country. (BBC)
