Michelle Doherty is Britain's first Astronomer Royal

Sputnik

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, July 31, 2025, p. 6

Moscow. Professor Michelle Doherty has become the first woman in history to be appointed Astronomer Royal of the United Kingdom, the Telegraph reports.

For the first time in history, a woman has been appointed England's Astronomer Royal. Professor Michelle Doherty will assume this prestigious position following the retirement of Lord Martin Rees, who held the post for 30 years , the newspaper writes.

Michelle Doherty is an astrophysicist at Imperial College London. She studies the interaction of the magnetic fields of Saturn and Jupiter. Her work contributed to the discovery of water vapor around Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, demonstrating the possibility of life there. She also collaborated on the launch of robotic interplanetary probes to Jupiter and its moons.

In this position, I hope to show the general public how fascinating astronomy is and the importance of its discoveries to everyday life , she was quoted as saying by the publication.

The title of Royal Astronomer designates the country's leading specialist in the field of space exploration. The position was created in 1675, and at that time, its function was to advise the king on maritime navigation using the stars. Gradually, the position acquired a ceremonial character, and it is currently responsible for informing the monarch about new astronomical discoveries.