Michele Dougherty Becomes First Female Astronomer Royal in UK History

August 16, 2025
Michele Dougherty Becomes First Female Astronomer Royal in UK History

In a historic appointment, Professor Michele Dougherty, a renowned planetary scientist and physicist, has been named the first female astronomer royal in the United Kingdom. This prestigious title, which dates back to 1675, was awarded to Dougherty on July 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone in both her career and the representation of women in the field of astronomy.

Dougherty, who has had a prolific career as a researcher on NASA's Cassini mission, expressed her delight at receiving this honor, stating, "As a young child, I never thought I’d end up working on planetary spacecraft missions and science, so I can’t quite believe I’m actually taking on this position." She emphasized her commitment to inspiring future generations, particularly young girls, by showcasing the exciting possibilities within scientific fields.

The role of astronomer royal was originally established to improve methods of determining longitude at sea but has since evolved to encompass a broader range of astronomical engagement with the public. The previous holder of the title, Lord Martin Rees, retired, paving the way for Dougherty to step into this influential position. As part of her responsibilities, she aims to promote public interest in astronomy and its significance to everyday life.

Dougherty's scientific achievements are noteworthy. She played a crucial role in the Cassini mission, which provided groundbreaking insights into Saturn’s moons, particularly Enceladus, where jets of water vapor were discovered. This finding suggests the moon could potentially harbor conditions suitable for life. In a statement to BBC Radio 4, she remarked, "I’ve always wanted to make sure that if I’m ever selected for a role, it’s because of what I do, and not because I’m female."

Her academic credentials are impressive; she is currently a professor of space physics at Imperial College London and also serves as the executive chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Furthermore, she is the president-elect of the Institute of Physics, underscoring her leadership within the scientific community.

In light of current global uncertainties, Dougherty voiced her concerns regarding the future of science funding, stating, "Things are unsettled right now across the world on a range of fronts. That’s why it’s so important that in the UK we are very open about why we do the research we do and why it is so important to the health and wellbeing of the UK economy."

Dougherty's ongoing projects include the European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), which will explore Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon, looking for signs of a subsurface ocean. This mission, which she began working on in 2008, is set to reach Jupiter in 2031 and will operate until 2035.

As a pioneer in her field, Dougherty's appointment as astronomer royal is a landmark achievement not only for her personally but for the representation of women in science. Professor Dame Angela McLean, the UK’s chief scientific adviser, congratulated Dougherty, saying, "This is a fitting recognition of her outstanding work and enduring commitment to the field of astronomy."

As she takes on her new role, Dougherty aims to engage the public in the wonders of astronomy and the vital research that underpins our understanding of the universe, thereby inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers.

Advertisement

Fake Ad Placeholder (Ad slot: YYYYYYYYYY)

Tags

Michele Doughertyfirst female astronomer royalNASA Cassini missionastronomyspace sciencepublic engagement in sciencewomen in STEMSaturnEnceladusScientific researchImperial College LondonInstitute of PhysicsScience and Technology Facilities CouncilJupiter Icy Moons ExplorerGanymedespace explorationextraterrestrial lifeProfessor Dame Angela McLeanUK science fundingscientific communityplanetary sciencelongitude determinationpublic outreach in astronomyhistorical significance of astronomer royalfemale leadership in sciencescientific achievementsspace physicsscientific instrumentsmagnetometerscientific milestones

Advertisement

Fake Ad Placeholder (Ad slot: ZZZZZZZZZZ)