Eleanor Francis Helin

Achievements: was a prominent researcher of planetary science and astronomy at both Caltech and JPL over three decades. Helin’s research of lunar craters sparked an interest in near earth objects. She is credited with the discovery of several comets and minor planets. In the early 1970’s, Helin launched the Palomar Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey (PCAS), which is responsible for the discovery of thousands of asteroids and comets, and earned her NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal Award.