Karl Ludwig Hencke (April 8 1793 – September 25 1866) was a German astronomer. He is sometimes confused with Johann Franz Encke, another German astronomer.

He discovered two asteroids. The first, 5 Astraea is notable for being the first asteroid discovered after the last of the original four, 4 Vesta, was found in 1807. Other astronomers had abandoned their searches for more asteroids, convinced that there were only four. However, Hencke began searching in 1830 and fifteen years later met with success.

The asteroid 2005 Hencke is named in his honour.