A groundbreaking planetary scientist whose research has opened the door to the possibility of extraterrestrial life on one of Saturn’s moons has been appointed as the first female Astronomer Royal in the United Kingdom. Professor Michele Dougherty, a prominent space physicist and a key figure in the NASA Cassini mission, has been awarded this prestigious 350-year-old honorary title.
Prof. Dougherty has been instrumental in significant solar system discoveries, notably the detection of water vapor jets on Saturn’s moon Enceladus, suggesting it might support life. Expressing her excitement, Dougherty stated, “I am absolutely delighted with my appointment. 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.”
The Legacy of the Astronomer Royal
The role of Astronomer Royal was established in 1675 with the primary aim of improving navigation by determining longitude at sea. Martin Rees, the outgoing Astronomer Royal, is retiring, passing the baton to Dougherty, who is eager to engage the public with the wonders of astronomy. She emphasized the importance of her role in inspiring young girls, saying, “Seeing someone who looks like them in a role like this will potentially allow them to dream that they might be able to do something like this in the future.”
In addition to her new role, Dougherty remains the executive chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, president-elect of the Institute of Physics, and a professor of space physics at Imperial College London. Despite her many responsibilities, she remains focused on promoting the significance of scientific research, especially in times of global uncertainty.
From South Africa to the Stars
Born in South Africa, Dougherty’s fascination with astronomy began early. Her father built a telescope when she was about 10, sparking her lifelong passion for space. “My first view of Jupiter and its four large moons and Saturn and its rings was through my dad’s telescope,” she recalled.
Her expertise in designing instruments to measure magnetic fields in space has been crucial in her career. During the Cassini mission, she detected a “tiny anomaly” in the probe’s magnetic field readings near Enceladus, leading to the discovery of a water vapor plume. This finding has positioned Enceladus as a prime candidate in the search for alien life.
“I didn’t sleep for the first couple of nights beforehand. Imagine if we hadn’t seen anything. No one would have believed anything I said ever again. But we saw that, instead of an atmosphere, it was a water vapor plume coming out of the south pole.”
Future Endeavors and Scientific Impact
Currently, Dougherty is involved in the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission, which aims to explore Ganymede, the solar system’s largest moon. Her work continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, with Juice set to reach Jupiter in 2031.
Her contributions to space science have not gone unnoticed. Prof Dame Angela McLean, the government’s chief scientific adviser, remarked, “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.”
As Dougherty embarks on her new role, she remains committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and emphasizing the critical role of research in societal progress. Her journey from a young girl gazing through a homemade telescope to becoming the UK’s first female Astronomer Royal is a testament to her dedication and passion for the mysteries of the universe.
