Early and personal life

Carolyn Jean Spellmann was born in Gallup, New Mexico, United States. Her family moved to Chico, California, where she and her brother Richard grew up with their parents, Leonard Shoemaker and Hazel Arthur. Spellmann (before marriage) received bachelor's and master's degrees in history, political science, and English literature from Chico State University and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at California Institute of Technology. On August 18, 1951, she married Gene Shoemaker, a planetary scientist. She gave birth to three children: Christy, Linda, and Pat Shoemaker. The family lived in Grand Junction, Colorado, Menlo Park, California, and Pasadena, California, before finally settling down in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she worked in collaboration with her husband at the Lowell Observatory.

Career

The first job Shoemaker held was at a local school teaching the seventh grade. After not feeling satisfied with her work there, she quit to take care of her three children. At the age of 51, once her children had grown up and moved out, Shoemaker started work as a field assistant for her husband Gene Shoemaker, working on his search program mapping and analyzing impact craters. Shoemaker started her astronomical career in 1980, searching for Earth-crossing asteroids and comets at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, and the Palomar Observatory, San Diego, California. That year, Shoemaker was hired at the United States Geological Survey as a visiting scientist in the astronomy branch, and then in 1989 began work as an astronomy research professor at Northern Arizona University. She concentrated her work on searching for comets and planet-crossing asteroids. Teamed with astronomer David H. Levy, the Shoemakers identified Shoemaker-Levy 9, a fragmented comet orbiting the planet Jupiter on March 24, 1993. After Gene's death in 1997, Shoemaker continued to work at the Lowell Observatory with Levy, and continues to work there today.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Shoemaker used film taken at the wide-field telescope at the Palomar Observatory, combined with a stereoscope, to find objects which moved against the background of fixed stars.

As of 2002, Shoemaker had discovered 32 comets and over 800 asteroids.

Awards

Shoemaker received an honorary doctorate from the Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 1996. She and her husband were awarded the James Craig Watson Medal by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1998. Shoemaker also received the Rittenhouse Medal of the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society in 1988 and the Scientist of the Year Award in 1995.

Asteroids discovered

Asteroids discovered: 376
Name	Date	MPC
2459 Spellmann	June 11, 1980
2511 Patterson	June 11, 1980
2532 Sutton	October 9, 1980
2586 Matson	June 11, 1980
2614 Torrence	June 11, 1980
2686 Linda Susan	May 5, 1981
2705 Wu	October 9, 1980
2742 Gibson	May 6, 1981
2748 Patrick Gene	May 5, 1981
2773 Brooks	May 6, 1981
2834 Christy Carol	October 9, 1980
2891 McGetchin	June 18, 1980
2906 Caltech	January 13, 1983
2918 Salazar	October 9, 1980
2932 Kempchinsky	October 9, 1980
2982 Muriel	May 6, 1981
3025 Higson	August 20, 1982
3107 Weaver	May 5, 1981
3161 Beadell	October 9, 1980
3194 Dorsey	May 27, 1982
3199 Nefertiti	September 13, 1982
3225 Hoag	August 20, 1982
3270 Dudley	February 18, 1982
3285 Ruth Wolfe	November 5, 1983
3299 Hall	October 10, 1980
3317 Paris	May 26, 1984
3333 Schaber	October 9, 1980
3375 Amy	May 5, 1981
3430 Bradfield	October 9, 1980
3553 Mera	May 14, 1985
3554 Amun	March 4, 1986
3581 Alvarez	April 23, 1985
3640 Gostin	October 11, 1985
3671 Dionysus	May 27, 1984
3689 Yeates	May 5, 1981
3700 Geowilliams	October 23, 1984
3709 Polypoites	October 14, 1985
3777 McCauley	May 5, 1981
3779 Kieffer	May 13, 1985
3792 Preston	March 22, 1985
3793 Leonteus	October 11, 1985
3794 Sthenelos	October 12, 1985
3837 Carr	May 6, 1981
3840 Mimistrobell	October 9, 1980
3846 Hazel	October 9, 1980
3854 George	March 13, 1983
3873 Roddy	November 21, 1984
3880 Kaiserman	November 21, 1984
3888 Hoyt	March 28, 1984
3895 Earhart	February 23, 1987
3906 Chao	May 31, 1987
3927 Feliciaplatt	May 5, 1981
3932 Edshay	September 27, 1984
3972 Richard	May 6, 1981
3977 Maxine	June 14, 1983
3985 Raybatson	February 12, 1985
4029 Bridges	May 24, 1982
4031 Mueller	February 12, 1985
4082 Swann	September 27, 1984
4083 Jody	February 12, 1985
4085 Weir	May 13, 1985
4151 Alanhale	April 24, 1985
4153 Roburnham	May 14, 1985
4171 Carrasco	March 23, 1982
4173 Thicksten	May 27, 1982
4203 Brucato	March 26, 1985
4204 Barsig	May 11, 1985
4217 Engelhardt	January 24, 1988
4251 Kavasch	May 11, 1985
4253 Märker	October 11, 1985
4283 Stöffler	January 23, 1988
4327 Ries	May 24, 1982
4332 Milton	September 5, 1983
4340 Dence	May 4, 1986
4341 Poseidon	May 29, 1987
4348 Poulydamas	September 11, 1988
4368 Pillmore	May 5, 1981
4379 Snelling	August 13, 1988
4401 Aditi	October 14, 1985
4435 Holt	January 13, 1983
4448 Phildavis	March 5, 1986
4450 Pan	September 25, 1987
4451 Grieve	May 9, 1988
4487 Pocahontas	October 17, 1987
4503 Cleobulus	November 28, 1989
4531 Asaro	March 20, 1985
4533 Orth	March 7, 1986
4543 Phoinix	February 2, 1989
4569 Baerbel	April 15, 1985
4582 Hank	March 31, 1989
4624 Stefani	March 23, 1982
4666 Dietz	May 4, 1986
4673 Bortle	June 8, 1988
4707 Khryses	August 13, 1988
4708 Polydoros	September 11, 1988
4709 Ennomos	October 12, 1988
4736 Johnwood	January 13, 1983
4765 Wasserburg	May 5, 1986
4783 Wasson	January 12, 1983
4791 Iphidamas	August 14, 1988
4792 Lykaon	September 10, 1988
4805 Asteropaios	November 13, 1990
4820 Fay	September 15, 1985
4826 Wilhelms	May 11, 1988
4827 Dares	August 17, 1988
4828 Misenus	September 11, 1988
4829 Sergestus	September 10, 1988
4832 Palinurus	October 12, 1988
4833 Meges	January 8, 1989
4834 Thoas	January 11, 1989
4836 Medon	February 2, 1989
4856 Seaborg	June 11, 1983
4857 Altgamia	March 29, 1984
4867 Polites	September 27, 1989
4885 Grange	June 10, 1980
4888 Doreen	May 5, 1981
4898 Nishiizumi	March 19, 1988
4899 Candace	May 9, 1988
4902 Thessandrus	January 9, 1989
4946 Askalaphus	January 21, 1988
4947 Ninkasi	October 12, 1988
5023 Agapenor	October 11, 1985
5027 Androgeos	January 21, 1988
5028 Halaesus	January 23, 1988
5029 Ireland	January 24, 1988
5052 Nancyruth	October 23, 1984
5120 Bitias	October 13, 1988
5126 Achaemenides	February 1, 1989
5130 Ilioneus	September 30, 1989
5143 Heracles	November 7, 1991
5144 Achates	December 2, 1991
5161 Wightman	October 9, 1980
5167 Joeharms	April 11, 1985
5168 Jenner	March 6, 1986
5175 Ables	November 4, 1988
5211 Stevenson	July 8, 1989
5231 Verne	May 9, 1988
5259 Epeigeus	January 30, 1989
5264 Telephus	May 17, 1991
5283 Pyrrhus	January 31, 1989
5284 Orsilocus	February 1, 1989
5285 Krethon	March 9, 1989
5317 Verolacqua	February 11, 1983
5325 Silver	May 12, 1988
5381 Sekhmet	May 14, 1991
5392 Parker	January 12, 1986
5426 Sharp	February 16, 1985
5430 Luu	May 12, 1988
5436 Eumelos	February 20, 1990
5457 Queen's	October 9, 1980
5511 Cloanthus	October 8, 1988
5547 Acadiau	June 11, 1980
5551 Glikson	January 24, 1982
5579 Uhlherr	May 11, 1988
5632 Ingelehmann	April 15, 1993
5637 Gyas	September 10, 1988
5638 Deikoon	October 10, 1988
5652 Amphimachus	April 24, 1992
5670 Rosstaylor	November 7, 1985
5720 Halweaver	March 29, 1984
5725 Nördlingen	January 23, 1988
5726 Rubin	January 24, 1988
5731 Zeus	November 4, 1988
5765 Izett	April 4, 1986
5799 Brewington	October 9, 1980
5852 Nanette	April 19, 1991
5863 Tara	September 7, 1983
5869 Tanith	November 4, 1988
5899 Jedicke	January 9, 1986
5947 Bonnie	March 21, 1985
5953 Shelton	April 25, 1987
5957 Irina	May 11, 1988
5967 Edithlevy	February 9, 1991
5999 Plescia	April 23, 1987
6063 Jason	May 27, 1984
6078 Burt	October 10, 1980
6084 Bascom	February 12, 1985
6087 Lupo	March 19, 1988
6179 Brett	March 3, 1986
6183 Viscome	September 26, 1987
6204 MacKenzie	May 6, 1981
6239 Minos	August 31, 1989
6282 Edwelda	October 9, 1980
6372 Walker	May 13, 1985
6376 Schamp	May 29, 1987
6398 Timhunter	February 10, 1991
6401 Roentgen	April 15, 1991
6436 Coco	May 13, 1985
6478 Gault	May 12, 1988
6485 Wendeesther	October 25, 1990
6510 Tarry	February 23, 1987
6543 Senna	October 11, 1985
6585 O'Keefe	September 26, 1984
6635 Zuber	September 26, 1987
6670 Wallach	June 4, 1994
6740 Goff	April 14, 1993
6898 Saint-Marys	June 8, 1988
6901 Roybishop	August 2, 1989
6909 Levison	January 19, 1991
6914 Becquerel	April 3, 1992
7051 Sean	May 13, 1985
7086 Bopp	October 5, 1991
7088 Ishtar	January 1, 1992
7092 Cadmus	June 4, 1992
7112 Ghislaine	April 3, 1986
7119 Hiera	January 11, 1989
7167 Laupheim	October 12, 1985
7173 Sepkoski	August 15, 1988
7344 Summerfield	June 4, 1992
7480 Norwan	August 1, 1994
7549 Woodard	October 9, 1980
7560 Spudis	January 10, 1986
7749 Jackschmitt	May 12, 1988
7750 McEwen	August 18, 1988
7756 Scientia	March 27, 1990
7778 Markrobinson	April 17, 1993
7958 Leakey	June 5, 1994
8021 Walter	October 22, 1990
8034 Akka	June 3, 1992
8149 Ruff	May 11, 1985
8326 Paulkling	May 6, 1981
8327 Weihenmayer	May 6, 1981
8331 Dawkins	May 27, 1982
8347 Lallaward	April 21, 1987
8356 Wadhwa	September 3, 1989
8358 Rickblakley	November 4, 1989
8373 Stephengould	January 1, 1992
8709 Kadlu	May 14, 1994
8804 Eliason	May 5, 1981
8817 Roytraver	May 13, 1985
9016 Henrymoore	January 10, 1986
9022 Drake	August 14, 1988
9023 Mnesthus	September 10, 1988
9070 Ensab	July 23, 1993
9082 Leonardmartin	November 4, 1994
9083 Ramboehm	November 28, 1994
9165 Raup	September 27, 1987
9172 Abhramu	July 29, 1989
9277 Togashi	October 9, 1980
9299 Vinceteri	May 13, 1985
9564 Jeffwynn	September 26, 1987
9739 Powell	September 26, 1987
9744 Nielsen	May 9, 1988
9768 Stephenmaran	April 5, 1992
10028 Bonus	May 5, 1981
10041 Parkinson	April 24, 1985
10044 Squyres	September 15, 1985
10060 Amymilne	April 12, 1988
10108 Tomlinson	April 26, 1992
10283 Cromer	May 5, 1981
10295 Hippolyta	April 12, 1988
10332 Défi	May 13, 1991
10346 Triathlon	April 2, 1992
10487 Danpeterson	April 14, 1985
10563 Izhdubar	November 19, 1993
10683 Carter	June 10, 1980
10739 Lowman	May 12, 1988
11006 Gilson	October 9, 1980
11066 Sigurd	February 9, 1992
11277 Ballard	October 8, 1988
11311 Peleus	December 10, 1993
11548 Jerrylewis	November 25, 1992
11569 Virgilsmith	May 27, 1993
11836 Eileen	February 5, 1986
11911 Angel	June 4, 1992
11941 Archinal	May 23, 1993
12227 Penney	October 11, 1985
12237 Coughlin	April 23, 1987
12242 Koon	August 18, 1988
12675 Chabot	October 9, 1980
12680 Bogdanovich	May 6, 1981
12714 Alkimos	April 15, 1991
12753 Povenmire	April 18, 1993
13057 Jorgensen	November 13, 1990
13062 Podarkes	April 19, 1991
13111 Papacosmas	July 23, 1993
13123 Tyson	May 16, 1994
13615 Manulis	November 28, 1994
13914 Galegant	June 11, 1980
13915 Yalow	May 27, 1982
13937 Roberthargraves	August 2, 1989
14429 Coyne	December 3, 1991
14827 Hypnos	May 5, 1986
14835 Holdridge	November 26, 1987
15228 Ronmiller	February 23, 1987
15276 Diebel	April 14, 1991
15294 Underwood	November 7, 1991
15304 Wikberg	October 21, 1992
15318 Innsbruck	May 24, 1993
15321 Donnadean	August 13, 1993
15779 Scottroberts	July 26, 1993
16452 Goldfinger	September 28, 1989
16514 Stevelia	November 11, 1990
16641 Esteban	August 16, 1993
16666 Liroma	December 7, 1993
16669 Rionuevo	December 8, 1993
17399 Andysanto	September 6, 1983
17408 McAdams	October 19, 1987
17493 Wildcat	December 31, 1991
18368 Flandrau	April 15, 1991
18434 Mikesandras	March 12, 1994
19140 Jansmit	September 2, 1989
19173 Virginiaterése	April 15, 1991
19243 Bunting	February 10, 1994
19980 Barrysimon	November 22, 1989
20007 Marybrown	June 7, 1991
20037 Duke	October 20, 1992
20084 Buckmaster	April 6, 1994
21062 Iasky	May 13, 1991
21148 Billramsey	April 16, 1993
21149 Kenmitchell	April 19, 1993
22294 Simmons	September 28, 1989
22312 Kelly	April 14, 1991
22338 Janemojo	June 3, 199
23452 Drew	August 18, 1988
24626 Astrowizard	October 9, 1980
24643 MacCready	September 28, 1984
24654 Fossett	May 29, 1987
24761 Ahau	January 28, 1993
24778 Nemsu	May 24, 1993
24779 Presque Isle	July 23, 1993
26879 Haines	July 9, 1994
27706 Strogen	October 11, 1985
27711 Kirschvink	November 4, 1988
27776 Cortland	February 25, 1992
27810 Daveturner	July 23, 1993
29133 Vargas	May 29, 1987
29137 Alanboss	October 18, 1987
29146 McHone	March 17, 1988
29292 Conniewalker	May 24, 1993
30767 Chriskraft	November 6, 1983
30779 Sankt-Stephan	October 17, 1987
30785 Greeley	August 13, 1988
30786 Karkoschka	August 18, 1988
30840 Jackalice	April 15, 1991
30844 Hukeller	May 17, 1991
30934 Bakerhansen	November 16, 1993
30935 Davasobel	January 8, 1994
32776 Nriag	May 29, 1987
32890 Schwob	January 8, 1994
32897 Curtharris	August 1, 1994
35056 Cullers	September 28, 1984
37588 Lynnecox	April 15, 1991
37601 Vicjen	April 3, 1992
37609 LaVelle	November 25, 1992
37655 Illapa	August 1, 1994
43763 Russert	May 30, 1987
43793 Mackey	November 13, 1990
48416 Carmelita	January 24, 1988
(48576) 1994 NN2	July 11, 1994
52266 Van Flandern	January 10, 1986
52384 Elenapanko	April 19, 1993
(55758) 1991 XR	December 3, 1991
65672 Merrick	August 16, 1988
(65688) 1990 VD8	November 13, 1990
73670 Kurthopf	August 19, 1982
79117 Brydonejack	August 16, 1988
85158 Phyllistrapp	October 17, 1987
(85165) 1988 TV2	October 7, 1988
(85194) 1991 TL2	October 5, 1991
(85306) 1994 VL8	November 7, 1994
(90777) 1993 XJ3	December 10, 1993
(99907) 1989 VA	November 2, 1989
(100008) 1988 QZ	August 16, 1988
(100015) 1989 SR7	September 28, 1989
(100016) 1989 SD8	September 28, 1989
(100045) 1991 TK1	October 5, 1991
(100052) 1991 VP5	November 7, 1991
(100085) 1992 UY4	October 25, 1992
(129451) 1991 KD	May 18, 1991
(316650) 1987 UL	October 17, 1987
(363012) 1988 PH4	August 14, 1988
(368150) 1992 DC	February 26, 1992
(393348) 1988 RO1	September 13, 1988
(408751) 1987 SF3	September 26, 1987
(422637) 1985 WA	November 16, 1985
1 with E. M. Shoemaker 2 with S. J. Bus 3 with M. C. Nolan 4 with D. H. Levy 5 with H. E. Holt

[ Source: Wikipedia ]