Gene Shoemaker was an American geologist and astronomer known for his pioneering work in planetary science. He played a significant role in the study of impact craters on Earth and other celestial bodies, helping to understand the history of our solar system. Shoemaker co-discovered the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which famously collided with Jupiter in 1994, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of such events. In addition to his research, Shoemaker was instrumental in the development of the Lunar Module for the Apollo program. He also contributed to the training of astronauts, including Apollo 16 astronauts, in geology, enhancing their ability to conduct scientific investigations on the Moon.