What Is the Role of the Astronomer Royal? UK Appoints Michele Dougherty as First Woman in 350 Years

The role of Astronomer Royal stands as one of the most distinguished titles in British science — a post that has evolved over three and a half centuries from technical navigational support to a symbolic yet highly respected scientific advisory role to the monarchy. And in a historic first for the United Kingdom, Professor Michele Dougherty has been appointed as the first female Astronomer Royal in the role’s 350-year history, a significant milestone not just for gender representation, but for the advancement of astronomy itself.

Origins of the Office: Navigation, Astronomy, and the Royal Observatory

The title Astronomer Royal dates back to 22 June 1675, when King Charles II established the position alongside the creation of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. The purpose was practical yet ambitious: to use celestial observations to solve one of the greatest scientific and navigational challenges of the time — determining longitude at sea, particularly when ships were out of sight of land.

The King's directive to the first appointee, John Flamsteed, was to “apply himself with the most exact care and diligence to the rectifying the tables of the motions of the heavens, and the places of the fixed stars, so as to find out the so-much desired longitude of places, for the perfecting the art of navigation.”

Interestingly, while Flamsteed is universally regarded as the first Astronomer Royal, he was never officially given that title. His Royal Warrant referred to him as "Our Astronomical Observer," a phrasing that remained in use for all Astronomers Royal until 1881, when Sir William Christie became the first to be formally appointed with the now-common title.

Until the late 18th century, the term “Astronomer Royal” was rarely used in official documentation, although informal references included variations such as “Royal Professor at Greenwich.”

A Timeline of Astronomers Royal (1675–Present)

S. No.	Image	Name	Start year	End year
1.		John Flamsteed	1675	1719
2.		Edmond Halley	1720	1742
3.		James Bradley	1742	1762
4.		Nathaniel Bliss	1762	1764
5.		Nevil Maskelyne	1765	1811
6.		John Pond	1811	1835
7.		Sir George Biddell Airy	1835	1881
8.		Sir William Christie	1881	1910
9.		Sir Frank Dyson	1910	1933
10.		Sir Harold Spencer Jones	1933	1955
11.		Sir Richard van der Riet Woolley	1956	1971
12.		Sir Martin Ryle	1972	1982
13.		Sir Francis Graham-Smith	1982	1990
14.		Sir Arnold Wolfendale	1991	1995
15.		Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow	1995	2025
16.		Michele Dougherty	2025	Incumbent

In 1834, a junior counterpart role — Astronomer Royal for Scotland — was also established, further extending royal support for astronomical research across the UK. Both titles are now honorary, typically awarded to leading figures in astrophysics or planetary science, who help promote public engagement, international collaboration, and the broader relevance of astronomy to modern life.

A New Chapter: Professor Michele Dougherty Breaks a 350-Year Tradition

Professor Michele Dougherty's appointment as the 16th Astronomer Royal — and the first woman in this role — marks a transformational moment in the UK’s scientific history. Officially appointed by King Charles III in 2025, Dougherty joins a line of highly respected predecessors — from Halley (of comet fame) to Martin Rees, the long-serving cosmologist who held the post for 30 years.

Her appointment is more than symbolic. Professor Dougherty is globally recognized for her pioneering contributions to planetary science, particularly through her work on NASA’s Cassini mission, where she led the team that discovered plumes of water vapor erupting from Saturn’s moon Enceladus — an insight that elevated the moon as a potential site for extraterrestrial life.

Currently, she is contributing to the European Space Agency’s mission to Jupiter’s icy moons, another promising frontier in the search for habitability beyond Earth.

In addition to her new title, she holds several influential positions:

• Executive Chair, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

• President-elect, Institute of Physics

• Professor of Space Physics, Imperial College London

A Personal and Public Mission: From Childhood Stargazing to Royal Recognition

Born in South Africa, Professor Dougherty didn’t follow a traditional route into science. She did not study science in secondary school — a decision influenced by peer choices — but her strong aptitude in mathematics led her to university-level science.

“The first couple of years were hard. It was like learning a new language,” she recalled.

Her love of space began at age 10, when she and her sister used a telescope built with their father to view Jupiter and its four largest moons — a moment that would eventually lead her to send scientific instruments to explore those very worlds.

“I'm having to pinch myself at the thought of it, and I'm having to pinch myself at the fact that I'm now Astronomer Royal!”

Reflecting on the role, she said:

“I want to engage with the public, excite them about what we do in astronomy, but also make it clear how important what we do is to the UK economy.”

The Evolving Role: From Celestial Tables to Global Collaboration

As the position matured, the Astronomer Royal’s responsibilities expanded beyond stellar navigation. By the 1800s, the role included government advisory duties, such as input on railways, telegraphy, and infrastructure. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the focus shifted again, emphasizing international scientific cooperation, contributions to missions like the James Webb Space Telescope, and outreach to inspire future generations.

Dr. Louise Devoy, senior curator at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, notes:

“If we fast forward to the 20th Century, it is more about developing international collaborations.”

Today, UK astronomers work with telescopes across Chile, the Canary Islands, and in space-based observatories, continuing the global pursuit of cosmic understanding.

Representation and Inspiration in STEM

The significance of Professor Dougherty’s appointment was warmly welcomed by colleagues, including Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland since 2021:

“For the last 350 years the title of Astronomer Royal has been held by a white male astronomer... But things are changing. Science is becoming more diverse, which it needs to be if we want to answer these big questions.”

Dougherty herself has already demonstrated the impact of visibility in leadership. During her tenure as Head of the Physics Department at Imperial College (2018–2024), the proportion of female first-year physics students rose from 19% to 25%.

“Not a huge change,” she noted, “but there was a positive change. And I think it’s because students saw that I was in a role that they might aspire to in the future.”

Her appointment aligns with the UK government’s broader efforts to improve gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)  fields. An £8.2 million funding package supports 7,500 girls in advanced maths, while the STEM Ambassadors programme boasts over 28,000 volunteers, 48% of whom are women, working across schools and communities to spark scientific curiosity.

Professor Dame Angela McLean, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, echoed the national pride:

“Warm congratulations to Professor Michele Dougherty on her appointment to the distinguished position of Astronomer Royal. This is a fitting recognition of her outstanding work and enduring commitment to the field of astronomy.”

From its 17th-century inception under King Charles II to its 21st-century reinvention under King Charles III, the office of Astronomer Royal has witnessed the transformation of astronomy — from star charts to space probes, from exclusive observatories to inclusive scientific communities.

In Professor Michele Dougherty, the role has found a new voice — one that not only understands the cosmos, but is committed to ensuring that everyone has a chance to explore it.

Her journey from a South African child with a telescope to the UK’s chief royal astronomy adviser is more than remarkable — it is a powerful message: science is for everyone, and the stars are within reach.

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