IAU NAMES LUNAR CRATER AFTER MATTHEW HENSON

IAU NAMES LUNAR CRATER AFTER MATTHEW HENSON

Context:

Recently, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named a Lunar crater at the south pole of the moon after the Arctic explorer Matthew Henson. Proposal to name the crater after Henson was given by Jordan Bretzfelder, an Exploration Science summer intern with Lunar & Planetary Institute, in Houston.

Matthew Henson:

• He was one of the 1st people who stand at the very top of the world, in 1909.
• He was born in 1866 in Maryland.
• He was an experienced explorer and a skilled carpenter.
• He undertook a dozen Arctic expeditions that were organized by Robert Peary over the period of 18 years, including the one that reached the North Pole.

Artemis mission and Naming of Henson Crater:

• The Henson Crater is situated between the de Gerlache and Sverdrup craters on the South Pole of the Moon.
• The crater is in the same region on the Moon where the NASA Artemis program aims to land its lunar explorers.

International Astronomical Union (IAU):

• IAU is a non-governmental organisation set up with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects such as promoting astronomical research, education, outreach and development.
• It was founded in 1919 with its headquarter in Paris, France.