## Breadcrumb

-  News 

Breadcrumb-  News 

## Past and Future Celebrations of Carolyn Shoemaker's Life and Legacy

      By Astrogeology Science Center      June 21, 2022    

The USGS Astrogeology family has had the utmost privilege of working with and learning from the legendary astronomer Carolyn S. Shoemaker (1929 –2021), and we are not alone in coming together in the myriad, diverse celebrations of her life and legacy. Celebrations of Carolyn's legacy will continue in our hometown of Flagstaff, AZ, perhaps for as long as a new star can be born in the universe.

View Media Details

### Past Celebrations  

#####  

##### **Virtual celebration with all who knew Carolyn**

On Saturday, Aug 21, 2021, Dr. Justin Hagerty, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, held a virtual gathering for all who knew Carolyn. Dr. Kenneth Herkenhoff conducted the gathering. Those in attendance told wide-ranging stories that reflected the dimensions of Carolyn: She was much more than a comet hunter and more than an inspiration to many, she was also a friend. Dr. Ryan Anderson captured the stories told at the gathering here, in an article, which includes large, stunning pictures of the life and legacy of Carolyn.

####  

##### **Celebration with art**

On May 21, 2022, scientists and other members of Astrogeology stepped out at the Coconino Center for the Arts, in Flagstaff, AZ, to peruse an exhibit called "NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky," which showcased spellbinding work of contemporary artists with the exhibition attributed to Carolyn. At the opening, Dr. David Levy, co-discoverer of Shoemaker-Levy 9, spoke about working with Gene and Carolyn, the SL9 discovery, the events during the 1994 July impact week, and more. If you missed the talk, the exhibit is still available through August 27, 2022, and it is freely available to the public to learn more about Carolyn.

View Media Details

**Private celebration with friends and family**

On May 22, 2022, at Lowell Observatory, close friends and family gathered in a private celebration “to reflect and honor Carolyn’s life and accomplishments.”  In attendance from the USGS Astrogeology Science Center were Ken Herkenhoff and Brent Archinal as were former employees, Mary Chapman, Jeff Plescia, Jody Swann, Lisa Gaddis, Mark Robinson, Larry Soderblom, Baerbel and Ivo Lucchitta, Jen Blue, Eric Eliason, Ray Jordan, and Jim Torson. Even Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt was in attendance.

###  

### **Future Celebrations**

 

##### **Celebration with objects**

Beginning June 24, 2022, at the Coconino Center for the Arts, the "NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky" exhibit will be expanded to include archival astronomical elements alongside the work of contemporary artists, and will include Carolyn’s collaborations with husband and geologist Eugene Shoemaker (April 28, 1928 – July 18, 1997).  The exhibit will be available to peruse through August 13, 2022. Learn more about the exhibits and upcoming activities here.

**Celebration with a plaque**

Lowell Observatory will honor Carolyn with a plaque that will be displayed on the Diverse Universe wall of the Astronomy Discovery Center scheduled to open in 2024. “Carolyn is being honored for both the number of asteroids (and comets) she discovered as well as comet Shoemaker-Levy 9,” said Stephen Riggs, Senior Philanthropy Manager at Lowell.

Although the plaque has not been created yet, Lowell has prepared the inscription as follows:  

**"Carolyn Shoemaker | It’s Never Too Late**

Carolyn Shoemaker earned university degrees in history, political science, and literature. But she was fascinated by the work of her astrogeologist husband, Gene, and at the age of 51 decided to embark on her own career in science. Carolyn discovered hundreds of asteroids and dozens of comets, including Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 that hit Jupiter in 1994.**”**

 

### *No matter how we came to know Carolyn, it is great to come together in memory of her.*

**                         **

 

####  

### Get Our News

These items are in the RSS feed format (Really Simple Syndication) based on categories such as topics, locations, and more. You can install and RSS reader browser extension, software, or use a third-party service to receive immediate news updates depending on the feed that you have added. If you click the feed links below, they may look strange because they are simply XML code. An RSS reader can easily read this code and push out a notification to you when something new is posted to our site.

RSS Icon**

Astrogeology Science Center News

RSS Icon**

Natural Hazards News

RSS Icon**

Planetary Geologic Mapping News

RSS Icon**

Planetary Science News