Eugene Merle Shoemaker

Eugene Merle Shoemaker (April 28, 1928 – July 18, 1997), also known as Gene Shoemaker, was an American geologist. He was one of the founders of the field of planetary science. He was best known for co-discovering the Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 with his wife Carolyn Shoemaker and David Levy.

Eugene Merle Shoemaker
Eugene Shoemaker.jpg
Eugene Shoemaker at a stereoscopic microscope
Born(1928-04-28)April 28, 1928
DiedJuly 18, 1997(1997-07-18) (aged 69)
Alma materCalifornia Institute of Technology
Princeton
Known forPlanetary science
Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9
AwardsG. K. Gilbert Award (1983)
Barringer Medal (1984)
National Medal of Science (1992)
William Bowie Medal (1996)
James Craig Watson Medal (1998)
Scientific career
FieldsAstrogeology
InstitutionsU. S. Geological Survey, California Institute of Technology

Shoemaker died in a car crash in Alice Springs, Australia, aged 69.

On July 31, 1999, some of his ashes were carried to the Moon by the Lunar Prospector space probe.[1][2]

Eugene Merle Shoemaker Media

References

  1. Porco, Carolyn. "The Eugene M. Shoemaker Tribute". Diamond Sky Productions. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  2. Porco, Carolyn C. (February 2000). Destination Moon. http://www.astronomy.com/~/media/Files/PDF/Magazine%20articles/Destination%20Moon.ashx. Retrieved 8 June 2013. 

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