Biography:Thomas A. Mutch
Thomas Mutch | |
|---|---|
 Mutch in 1976 | |
| Born | Thomas A. "Tim" Mutch Rochester, New York |
| Disappeared | October 6, 1980 (aged 49) disappeared during a descent from Mount Nun in the Kashmir Himalayas. |
| Status | Missing for 43 years, 4 months and 15 days |
| Nationality | American |
Thomas A. (Tim) Mutch (August 26, 1931 – October 6, 1980)[1] was an American geologist and planetary scientist. He was a professor at Brown University from 1960 until his death. He disappeared during descent from Mount Nun in the Kashmir Himalayas.[2]
Biography
He published books about the geology of the Moon (Geology of the Moon: A Stratigraphic View, published 1973) and of Mars (The Geology of Mars, published 1977). As head of the Viking surface photography team, he is quoted as commenting on the first pictures: "This is just an incredible scene. It looks safe and very interesting."
A crater on Mars was named in his honor, and the Viking 1 lander was formally renamed "Thomas A. Mutch Memorial Station" on January 7, 1981, by then NASA Administrator, Robert A. Frosch; the engineering model currently displayed in the Smithsonian Institution has a small plaque beside it commemorating this, and a note that it will be left with the actual lander when circumstances permit. The Thomas "Tim" Mutch Memorial Fund was established in 1981 by his family and friends.
See also
- List of people who disappeared
References
- ↑ "Thomas A. Mutch Lecture Series | Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences" (in en). https://www.brown.edu/academics/earth-environmental-planetary-sciences/thomas-mutch-lecture-series.
- ↑ "Thomas A. Mutch, 1931-1980 - AAC Publications - Search The American Alpine Journal and Accidents". http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12198134800/Thomas-A-Mutch-1931-1980.
External links
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