Eleanor F. Helin

Eleanor F. Helin, born on November nineteenth, nineteen thirty-two, was a distinguished American astronomer renowned for her significant contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly in the discovery of minor planets and comets.

As the principal investigator of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program, Helin played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of near-Earth objects. Her work not only enhanced the scientific community's knowledge but also contributed to planetary defense initiatives.

Throughout her illustrious career, Helin was a prolific discoverer, credited with the discovery or co-discovery of nine hundred and three asteroids and several comets. Among her notable discoveries are periodic comets such as 111P/Helin–Roman–Crockett, 117P/Helin–Roman–Alu, and 132P/Helin–Roman–Alu.

One of her remarkable achievements includes the rediscovery of the object now known as both asteroid 4015 Wilson–Harrington and comet 107P/Wilson–Harrington. Although the original observations by Wilson and Harrington did not establish an orbit, Helin's work successfully confirmed its trajectory, showcasing her exceptional skills in astronomical research.