Abbreviated Science Round-up: In Memoriam

It’s that season. Not only are there few new papers to consider this week, it seems almost requisite that we do a look-back at those people whose contributions literally shaped the world we live in — often without our knowing it. On this list is a man who helped create almost everything you’re using at this very moment, and both men and women whose work on everything from antibiotics to imaging is likely responsible for several of us being present to read about their departure. And there’s Maryam Mirzakhani, whose loss at age 40 is almost unfathomable.

If the list seems a little space-heavy … that’s my fault. I’m still that kid who stuck mission stickers from Mercury and Gemini on his lunch box and we’ve reached that point where the people who worked on those missions — and on Apollo and on Skylab — are becoming fewer and fewer.

The number of human beings who walked on the moon and are still here to tell the story is down to six. There are 15 people still alive who have ventured beyond Earth orbit. I’m still hopeful that new members will join that club before the number dwindles to zero.

Come inside let’s say goodbye.