What did Herschel initially mistake the discovery of Uranus for?
Answer
A comet
When first observing the object that turned out to be Uranus, Herschel spent weeks calculating its path before concluding it was not a transient comet but a planet orbiting beyond Saturn.
Related Questions
In what year was William Herschel born in Hanover, Germany?What instruments did Herschel play professionally before becoming an astronomer?Why did Herschel prioritize building his own reflecting telescopes?What did Herschel initially mistake the discovery of Uranus for?In which year did William Herschel discover the planet Uranus?What royal position did King George III grant Herschel in 1782?What was the primary function Caroline Herschel performed for her brother?How did Herschel discover infrared radiation in 1800?What size was the primary mirror used in Herschel's famous 40-foot telescope?What concept did Herschel propose regarding the shape of the Milky Way?