Before we discuss Hermann Goldschmidt, we need to discuss powdered wigs. That's right, powdered wigs. Seriously, what's the deal?

We get it: hair loss is a thing. Baldness is not exactly considered beautiful. You want to cover it up. But why cover it up... with that? Wear a hat or something! (Not that modern wig alternatives are any better. Just accept your baldness! Moving on...)

Anyway, the powder-wig-wearing Hermann Goldschmidt started out as a painter, but later became an astronomer. He is mostly noted for his discovery of asteroids. Using a telescope from his sixth story Paris balcony, Goldschmidt discovered 14, a world record at the time, and gave them female names: Daphne, Eugenia, Alexandra, Doris... No, seriously, there is an asteroid named Doris! You can't make this up.

In any case, Goldschmidt came from a Jewish family that converted out, so we wouldn't exactly call him a Jew. (Heck, one of his better-known works from his time as a painter was a loving rendition of one Jesus Christ.) Still, a somewhat Jewy 19th century astronomer who named an asteroid Doris and wore powdered wigs.

That's the deal...