Discovery of Uranus

Date: March 13, 1781 • Location: Bath, United Kingdom

William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus from the garden of his house in Bath, England, initially considering it to be a comet.

Frederick William Herschel, generally known as William Herschel, was a German–British astronomer and composer. He frequently collaborated with his younger sister and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel. Born in the Electorate of Hanover, he followed his father into the military band of Hanover, before emigrating to Britain in 1757 at the age of 19.