Which astronomical feature came to be named after someone its discoverer had once duetted with musically?

Arpeggionist

Would this have anything to do with Louis XIV? Jul 20 09, 7:39 PM

gmackematix

Not really. It's a 20th century discovery. Jul 20 09, 7:52 PM

Watchkeeper

The astronomical feature is the lunar crater originally known as Caramuel but which was later renamed Einstein by the IAU. It was discovered by Sir Patrick Moore in 1952. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_%28crater%29 Patrick Moore once accompanied violinist Albert Einstein on the piano. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/skyatnight/patrickmoore_article.shtml Jul 21 09, 12:01 AM

gmackematix

Yay Watchkeeper! There's more to Moore than a xylophone-playing record-breaking TV broadcaster and spokesman on all things astronomical with a fast voice, ill-fitting suits and a monocle. He could also once play the piano and is a lunar expert whose accurate charts were used by the Russian and US space programmes. Wobbles in the Moon's orbit relative to the Earth known as libration means that sometimes parts of the "dark side" are visible from Earth. The edge of the crater later known as Einstein was discovered by Patrick Moore and some years later satellites of Russia's Luna series discovered its full extent. Sadly, arthritis means that Patrick's xylophone days are over but he still makes his monthly appearances on "The Sky At Night". Jul 24 09, 6:29 PM