Female astronomer, Michele Dougherty, assumes the title of Astronomer Royal.
In a historic move, Professor Michele Dougherty, a renowned space physicist from Imperial College London, has been appointed as the UK's Astronomer Royal. This 350-year-old position, which dates back to the creation of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich in 1675, involves advising the British monarch on astronomical matters.
Professor Dougherty, a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society Research Professor, is a visionary scientist and a calm and thoughtful administrator, as known by Professor Mike Lockwood since 1991. She is the first woman to hold this prestigious position, a testament to her significant contributions to the field of space science.
Throughout her illustrious career, Professor Dougherty has been at the forefront of uncrewed exploratory space missions to Saturn and Jupiter. Her work on the magnetometer instrument on NASA's Cassini spacecraft led to the groundbreaking discovery of an atmosphere of water and hydrocarbons around the moon Enceladus, a significant finding in the search for extraterrestrial life. She is also the Principal Investigator of the magnetometer instrument for the European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, which is currently en route to Jupiter and its moons.
Professor Dougherty's achievements have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades during her career, including the Institute of Physics' 2018 Richard Glazebrook Gold Medal and Prize, and the Royal Society's Bakerian Medal and Lecture in 2024. She was also recently elected as President of the Institute of Physics for a two-year term.
The outgoing Astronomer Royal, Lord Martin Rees, a pioneering cosmologist who has significantly advanced our understanding of black holes, quasars, galaxy formation, and the early universe, has made an extraordinary impact in the 30 years since his appointment in 1995.
Professor Dougherty took up her role at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) earlier this year, on secondment from Imperial College London for a term of three years. She has a strong working relationship with the Society in her position as Executive Chair of the STFC.
Born in South Africa, Professor Dougherty received her PhD from the University of Natal in 1988 for research on wave-particle interactions in dispersive and anisotropic media. She has balanced research, teaching, and public engagement throughout her career, becoming a prominent figure in space science.
Notable figures who have held the post of Astronomer Royal include Sir Francis Graham-Smith. Professor Mike Lockwood, President of the Society, has welcomed the appointment of Professor Dougherty.
This appointment marks a new era for the role of Astronomer Royal, with Professor Dougherty's expertise and vision set to shape the future of astronomical research in the UK.
References: 1. BBC News 2. The Guardian 3. Imperial College London
Professor Dougherty, with her extensive background in space science and her significant contributions to health-and-wellness, such as the discovery of an atmosphere of water and hydrocarbons around Enceladus, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to women's health within the realm of science and health-and-wellness research. Her appointment as the UK's Astronomer Royal also highlights the growing importance of space-and-astronomy in the realm of health-and-wellness, as the understanding of outer space could potentially lead to advancements in human health.
