The Astronomer Royal is a royal appointment initiated by King Charles II, who founded the Royal Greenwich Observatory in 1675. The Astronomer Royal was given initial instructions to study the stars in order to develop a reliable method of navigation. Subsequent astronomer royals were also the heads of the Greenwich Observatory up until 1972 where the title become an honoury one.
The table below lists all of the past astronomers who have held the title Astronomer Royal.
Astronomer Royal | Time in Office |
---|---|
Martin Rees | 1995-present |
Arnold Wolfendale | 1991-1995 |
Francis Smith | 1982-1990 |
Martin Ryle | 1972-1982 |
Richard van der Riet Woolley | 1956-1971 |
Harold Spencer Jones | 1933-1955 |
Frank Dyson | 1910-1933 |
William Christie | 1881-1910 |
George Airy | 1835-1881 |
John Pond | 1811-1835 |
Nevil Maskelyne | 1765-1811 |
Nathaniel Bliss | 1762-1764 |
James Bradley | 1742-1762 |
Edmond Halley | 1720-1742 |
John Flamsteed | 1675-1719 |