Some years ago I tried to get a crater on the Moon (or alternatively Mars) named after Willard Boyle. His (and Smith's) contribution to the practice of astronomy should be unquestionable.
The naming wasn't possible at the time because there is already a crater on the Moon named Boyle (after the British natural philosopher and chemist Robert Boyle, 1627-1691), and duplicate names aren't allowed. Use of the first name ('Willard') wasn't suggested at the time.
It may be time to re-submit the request, but for the name "Boyle-Smith", if combined names are allowed.
[0] https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories
"The Moon : Craters: Scientists, engineers, and explorers, as well as other persons connected with astronomy, planetary, or space research who have made outstanding or fundamental contributions to their field. ... First names are used for small craters of special interest. "
thelittleone · 14h ago
Wow... name collision avoidance is applied across the solar system.
Respect for taking the time to apply for his recognition.
He was 79 when the photo in the article was taken? That's incredible.
hobs · 42m ago
My dad is almost that old and looks younger and healthier than him for sure, it all depends on how you live your life and the genetics you are granted.
selcuka · 12h ago
He probably didn't, but he could have fine-tuned the CCD sensor of the camera.
formerly_proven · 45m ago
Funnily enough the camera that he's holding has a CMOS sensor.
Nobel Prize winner Willard Boyle, inventor of CCD, dies. - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2566440 - May 2011
The naming wasn't possible at the time because there is already a crater on the Moon named Boyle (after the British natural philosopher and chemist Robert Boyle, 1627-1691), and duplicate names aren't allowed. Use of the first name ('Willard') wasn't suggested at the time.
It may be time to re-submit the request, but for the name "Boyle-Smith", if combined names are allowed.
[0] https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories "The Moon : Craters: Scientists, engineers, and explorers, as well as other persons connected with astronomy, planetary, or space research who have made outstanding or fundamental contributions to their field. ... First names are used for small craters of special interest. "
Respect for taking the time to apply for his recognition.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2009/smith/lecture...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS-1D