CCD co-inventor George E. Smith dies at 95
18 comments
·May 31, 2025NaOH
nullhole
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
Wow... name collision avoidance is applied across the solar system.
Respect for taking the time to apply for his recognition.
closewith
The British natural philosopher and chemist?
Findecanor
I had attended his 1999 Nobel Prize Lecture on the invention of the CCD. The video is available.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2009/smith/lecture...
neonate
He was 79 when the photo in the article was taken? That's incredible.
selcuka
He probably didn't, but he could have fine-tuned the CCD sensor of the camera.
kazinator
Or clocked it down so that what's being shifted out is actually a sample from when he was 49.
formerly_proven
Funnily enough the camera that he's holding has a CMOS sensor.
Luc
Nah it's an EOS-1D, it has a CCD.
hobs
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.
null
dang
Url changed from https://www.universitycube.net/news/ccd-co-inventor-george-e..., which points to this.
Williard Boyle was the other co-inventor. His passing in 2011 was linked here but did not elicit any discussion.
Nobel Prize winner Willard Boyle, inventor of CCD, dies. - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2566440 - May 2011