American astronomer who discovered numerous asteroids and comets, including the near-Earth asteroid 9969 Braille. She was a pioneer for women in astronomy and space exploration.
Eleanor F. Helin, a renowned American astronomer, left an indelible mark on the field of planetary science. As the principal investigator of the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she dedicated her career to unravelling the mysteries of our celestial neighbourhood.
Helin's remarkable journey began with the discovery of her first asteroid on July 3, 1973, using the 18-inch Schmidt telescope. This breakthrough sparked a prolific career, during which she discovered or co-discovered an astonishing 903 asteroids and several comets.
Among her notable discoveries are periodic comets 111P/Helin-Roman-Crockett, 117P/Helin-Roman-Alu, and 132P/Helin-Roman-Alu. Her rediscovery of the object now known as both asteroid 4015 Wilson-Harrington and comet 107P Wilson-Harrington is a testament to her dedication and expertise.
Born on November 19, 1932, as an only child to Fred and Kay Francis, Helin's early life was marked by a courage-testing encounter with polio at the tender age of five. Bedridden for several months, she emerged from this ordeal with a fortitude that would serve her well in her future pursuits.
Helin pursued geology at Occidental College, leaving just shy of her graduation in 1954. She soon married Ron Helin and began working at the California Institute of Technology, where she and Bruce C. Murray established the Lunar Research Lab to prepare for lunar landing missions.
In the early 1970s, Helin initiated the Palomar Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey (PCAS) from Palomar Observatory. This groundbreaking program accounted for the discovery of thousands of asteroids of all types, including over 200 in high-inclination orbits, as well as rare and unique types of orbits. PCAS also led to the detection of 20 comets and approximately 30% of the near-Earth asteroids discovered worldwide.
Eleanor F. Helin's pioneering work in planetary science has left an indelible mark on our understanding of the universe. Her tireless efforts have inspired generations of astronomers and continue to shape our knowledge of near-Earth objects.
Through her remarkable career, Helin demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and a passion for the unknown. As we continue to explore the vast expanse of our celestial neighbourhood, we would do well to remember the trailblazing spirit of Eleanor F. Helin.
Eleanor F. Helin's remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of human curiosity and determination, inspiring us to reach for the stars and beyond.
91 Years Old
A renowned space expert who explored the universe, searching for life beyond Earth and explaining complex science in simple terms.
89 Years Old
A renowned astronomer and director of the Minor Planet Center, credited with discovering and cataloging thousands of asteroids and comets. His work has greatly advanced our understanding of the solar system.
