The Only Human Buried On the Moon Dr. Eugene Shoemaker

Dr. Eugene Shoemaker, a pioneering planetary scientist, made history by becoming the first and only person to be buried on the moon. This extraordinary event unfolded after his death in 1997, cementing his legacy in both space exploration and planetary science. A portion of Shoemaker’s ashes was sent aboard the Lunar Prospector spacecraft, which was launched on July 31, 1999, marking a remarkable tribute to his lifelong dream of exploring the moon.

Shoemaker’s contribution to planetary science was unparalleled. He co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which famously collided with Jupiter in 1994, providing unprecedented insights into the behavior of celestial bodies. His work extended beyond comets; he was instrumental in advancing our understanding of impact craters, particularly through his studies of the Barringer Crater in Arizona. This knowledge significantly contributed to the field of astrogeology, the study of the composition and structure of planetary bodies.

In honor of his extensive contributions, a portion of Shoemaker’s ashes was placed on the moon along with a photo and a piece of the Barringer Crater. This symbolic gesture was not only a tribute to his scientific achievements but also a realization of his dream to explore the lunar surface, a dream that began when he pioneered the study of lunar geology. The…