Carolyn Shoemaker: 1929-2021
September 2021 :
In July, 1994, many of us were originally preparing for the 25th anniversary of Apollo 11; instead, however, we found ourselves geared up for the incredible views of the planet Jupiter being slammed by a myriad of comet pieces. Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, first detected in 1992, apparently had been captured by Jupiter years before, and was noted as the first actual comet observed orbiting a planet. When discovered in 1993, the comet seemed to be in pieces, with its next orbit, not around Jupiter, but into Jupiter. The resultant impacts, which took the better part of a week in July, 1994, were visible enough to be seen by our 4-inch Astroscans.
Carolyn Shoemaker certainly didn’t start her life as an astronomer: Her college degrees were in history, political science and English literature. It was only when she met and married geologist Eugene (Gene) Shoemaker that she began her fascination with science, and obtained a research assistant position with her husband.
Joining with David Levy to search for comets proved very fortunate. Together, they discovered 11 comets, two considered one-shot, and 9 periodic. It was this number 9 that attracted the attention of the world, as its path would show the first ever major collision of two celestial bodies.
In 1997, she and Gene were involved in a tragic car accident, resulting in his death and her sustaining major injuries; however, upon her recovery, she continued her observational work until 2002. By then, she was credited with discovering or co-discovering 32 comets and over 500 asteroids. Her awards included an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University, and several from such as NASA’s exceptional scientific achievement medal, the National Academy of Sciences James Craig Watson medal (with her husband), and the Scientist of the Year award in 1995. Asteroid 4446 Carolyn was named in her honor.
Carolyn Shoemaker died August 13, 2021.
