Michele Dougherty becomes 1st woman appointed UK’s Astronomer Royal

Professor Michele Dougherty has been named the Astronomer Royal of the United Kingdom, becoming the first woman to hold the prestigious title in its 350-year history. The appointment was approved by King Charles III.

About the Role and Professor Dougherty:

• The Astronomer Royal: The role, which dates back to 1675, is largely honorary today. The holder advises the UK’s monarch on astronomical matters and works to promote public interest in space and science. The position was originally created to improve navigation by creating accurate star charts, and the first Astronomer Royal was John Flamsteed.
• Professor Michele Dougherty: A highly distinguished space physicist, Professor Dougherty is currently a professor at Imperial College London, the Executive Chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, and the president-elect of the Institute of Physics. She is also the lead investigator for the magnetometer on the European Space Agency’s JUICE mission, which is set to orbit Jupiter’s moon Ganymede in 2032.
• Key Achievements: She is widely recognized for her work as the principal investigator for the magnetometer instrument on NASA’s Cassini mission. Her research led to the groundbreaking discovery of jets of water vapor erupting from the south pole of Saturn’s moon Enceladus.