Comet Chaser
The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel, the First Professional Woman Astronomer

Once upon a time there lived a girl who swept floors and washed dishes and was little more than a servant to her family.

Until, one day, an invitation arrived.

It was an invitation to a new country and a new beginning—a place where Caroline Herschel’s dreams, her fascination with the night sky, and her extraordinary talent would open up a world of beauty and renown, and make her the belle of the scientific ball.

From humble beginnings and in spite of many obstacles, Caroline and her brother William developed and built the best telescope in the world—in their backyard!

Together they went on to discover a new planet, new moons, and vast arrays of unknown nebulae and comets.

From a child who seemed doomed to a life of servitude, Caroline grew into a woman recognized by kings and queens—and a scientist whose work and discoveries continue to shine today. Pamela S. Turner invites readers into Caroline’s true Cinderella story in this inspiring account of the
transformative power of curiosity and the magic—better than any fairy tale—of science.