Discovery of Uranus on Tuesday 13th March 1781, recorded in written notes by the German-born British astronomer William Herschel (1738-1822). The previous day, he noted observations of Mars and Saturn. The following night he looked at the region around the star Pollux (Beta Geminorum), and noticed a curious either nebulous star or perhaps a comet. Herschel, working in Bath at the time, reported this object to others, and further observations determined it was a new planet. This made Herschel famous. He received the Copley Medal, was elected to the Royal Society, and was appointed Kings Astronomer by George III.