Astronomer Royal

American  

noun

1. the chief astronomer of England, appointed by the British Crown.

2. the chief astronomer of Scotland, director of the Royal Edinburgh Observatory.

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Astronomer Royal British  

noun

1. an honorary title awarded to an eminent British astronomer: until 1972, the Astronomer Royal was also director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory

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Etymology

Origin of Astronomer Royal

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The role of Astronomer Royal dates back to the creation of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich in 1675.

From BBC

But at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Prof Catherine Heyman has held an equivalent post as Astronomer Royal for Scotland since 2021.

From BBC

Now she is the first woman to be appointed the UK's Astronomer Royal in the post's 350-year history, and is part of the team sending probes to Jupiter's icy moons.

From BBC

The new Astronomer Royal added that she also wanted to use her new role to "open people's eyes" to the wonders of space.

From BBC

"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!"

From BBC