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

Scotland's Astronomer Royal, Catherine Heymans, speaking for the UK community of astronomers, told the science select committee that the proposed cuts were "genuinely catastrophic and will be devastating for the UK."

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

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 • Jul. 29, 2025

Prof Heymans, Scotland’s Astronomer Royal, who is independent of the research team, described the discovery as “gorgeous, scientifically important and extremely festive”.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2024

Prof Catherine Heymans of Edinburgh University and Scotland's Astronomer Royal, who is independent of the research team, said that results like these help to drive science forward.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2024

He returned to Denmark in 1681, becoming Astronomer Royal and Director of the Royal Observatory in Copenhagen, where he died on 23 September 1710.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin