Gordon Swann | |
|---|---|
 Gordon Swann in 1998 | |
| Born | (1931-09-21)September 21, 1931 Palisade, Colorado, US |
| Died | May 22, 2014(2014-05-22) (aged 82) |
| Alma mater | University of Colorado |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1952–1956 |
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Gordon Alfred Swann (September 21, 1931 – May 22, 2014) was an American geologist. Born in Palisade, Colorado, he went to high school in Olathe, Colorado, and then served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956.[1] He received his PhD from the University of Colorado in 1962, and studied the Precambrian geology of the Front Range of Colorado while working for U.S. Geological Survey.[1] He is notable for his work with NASA and the training of the astronauts of the Apollo program in field geology.[2]
Swann served as the Principal Investigator of the Apollo Lunar Geologic Experiment for Apollo 14[3] and Apollo 15.[4] A part of the Montes Apenninus (south of Mons Hadley) at the Apollo 15 landing site was informally called the Swann Range in his honor by the astronauts.[5]
Besides his work for NASA, Swann was an adjunct professor at the University of Northern Arizona.[1]
In his non-academic life Swann was a Master at the Flagstaff Masonic Lodge.[1]
Books and publications
- Karlstrom, N. V.; Swann, Gordon A.; Eastwood, Raymond L., eds. (1974). Geology of Northern Arizona with Notes on Archaeology and Paleoclimate. Geological Society of America. hdl:10150/630724.
- Swann, G. A.; et al. (1977). Geology of the Apollo 14 landing site in the Fra Mauro highlands. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. LCCN 74026964. OCLC 1104157.
Recognition
- The asteroid 4082 Swann is named after him by the Minor Planet Center.[6]
- NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal[1]
- American Institute of Professional Geologists Excellence Award[1]
- Thirty Third Degree Scottish Rite Mason, plus two Albert Pike awards[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Gordon Swann Obituary". Arizona Daily Sun. Flagstaff, AZ. May 28, 2014 – via legacy.com.
- ^ Gordan Alfred Swann, USGS page on Swann, June 2014. Archived 2020-08-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Apollo 14 Preliminary Science Report, NASA Special Publication 272, 1971
- ^ Apollo 15 Preliminary Science Report, NASA Special Publication 289, 1972
- ^ Jones, Eric M.; Glover, Ken (eds.). "Swann Range, Swann Mountain and Big Rock Mountain". Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Journal. NASA.gov.
- ^ (4082) Swann = 1984 SW3, IAU Minor Planet Center
Further reading
- Spudis, Paul D. (June 3, 2014). "Gordon Swann, Geology Teacher to the Astronauts; Remembering a pioneer of lunar exploration". Smithsonian Magazine (Air & Space Magazine).
- Spudis, Paul D. (July 19, 2014). "Apollo 15 and The Power of Inspiration". Smithsonian Magazine (Air & Space Magazine).
Primary sources
- "To the Moon; Interview with Dr. Gordon Swann, geologist with the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Principal Investigator of Lunar Geology for Apollo [parts 1, 2, 3, & 4]". American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB). Library of Congress and GBH.
External links
- USGS Astrogeology Center – Gordon Alfred Swann
- Gordon Swann at Find a Grave
