Carolyn S. Shoemaker | |
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| Born | Carolyn Jean Spellmann June 24, 1929 Gallup, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | August 13, 2021 (aged 92) Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | CSU Chico |
| Known for | Co-discovery of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 |
| Spouse | |
| Awards | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
| Institutions | |
Carolyn Jean Spellmann Shoemaker (June 24, 1929 – August 13, 2021) was an American astronomer and a co-discoverer of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9.[1] She discovered 32 comets (then a record for the most by an individual)[2] and more than 500 asteroids.[3]
Having earned degrees in history, political science, and English literature, she had little interest in planetary science until she met and married geologist Eugene Merle Shoemaker. Her career in astronomy began when she demonstrated good stereoscopic vision, a particularly valuable quality for looking for objects in near-Earth space. Despite the fact that her degrees were not in science, having that visual ability motivated the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) to hire her as a research assistant on a team led by her husband.[2] She went on to making record-setting discoveries in the field of astronomy, as well as being awarded honorary degrees and many professional awards.
- ^ Mestel, Rosie (July 9, 1994). "Carolyn Shoemaker and 'Her Comet'". New Scientist. Vol. 143, no. 1933. p. 23. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ a b Chapman, Mary G. (May 17, 2002). "Carolyn Shoemaker". Astrogeology Research Program. United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- ^ "Carolyn Shoemaker has discovered 32 comets and more than 500 asteroids". The Arizona Republic. August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2021.