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Eleanor Helin

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Eleanor Helin (1932-2009) was an American astronomer who studied asteroids and comets, especially objects that pass close to Earth. At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she helped establish and lead the Near Earth Asteroid Tracking program, known as NEAT. Her observing and survey work contributed to the discovery and tracking of numerous near-Earth objects and supported efforts to understand potential impact hazards.

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What was Eleanor Helin's role in NEAT?

Eleanor Helin helped establish and lead NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Tracking program, known as NEAT. The program used systematic observations to find and track asteroids whose orbits bring them close to Earth.

What kinds of objects did Eleanor Helin study?

Helin studied asteroids and comets, with special attention to objects that pass close to Earth. Her observing and survey work contributed to the search for near-Earth objects.

Where did Eleanor Helin work?

Eleanor Helin worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Her JPL career was closely linked to asteroid surveys and the study of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.

When did Eleanor Helin live?

Eleanor Helin lived from 1932 to 2009. Her work helped build the observing programs that later became central to modern near-Earth asteroid tracking.