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Today in History: William Herschel discovers two moons of Uranus

1/11/2025

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Story summary

On January 11, 1787, German-born British astronomer William Herschel discovered two moons of Uranus, later named Oberon and Titania by his son, John. Oberon, the second-largest moon, and Titania, the largest, are named after characters from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This discovery expanded our understanding of the Uranian system.

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Story summary

On January 11, 1787, German-born British astronomer William Herschel discovered two moons of Uranus, later named Oberon and Titania by his son, John. Oberon, the second-largest moon, and Titania, the largest, are named after characters from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This discovery expanded our understanding of the Uranian system.