The NEAR spacecraft, currently conducting the first close-up study of an asteroid, has been renamed to honor Dr. Eugene M. Shoemaker, the renowned geologist who influenced decades of research on the role of asteroids and comets in shaping the planets. The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous spacecraft will now be known as NEAR Shoemaker.

The tribute was announced today at the 31st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston by Dr. Carl B. Pilcher, NASA Science Director for Solar System Exploration.

For complete information, please see the press release.

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