Which major body was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel expanding the planet roster?

Answer

Uranus

The expansion of the known roster of planets beyond the classical five was heavily driven by advances in observational technology, particularly the telescope. The discovery of Uranus in the year 1781 marked a significant moment in this evolution. William Herschel was credited with this detection, revealing a major body orbiting the Sun that clearly fit the established, albeit unwritten, criteria of being substantial and circling the central star. This finding demonstrated that the planetary category was not permanently fixed and could grow through observation. This precedent set the stage for later additions, such as Neptune in 1846, confirming that new, large orbiting bodies would generally be incorporated into the planetary classification upon discovery.

Which major body was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel expanding the planet roster?

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