Throughout her career, Dilhan Eryurt overcame both gender and ethnic boundaries, being the only woman at NASA’s Goddard Institute for a time, and also being the first Turkish scientist in the Middle East Technical University. Her expertise in the Sun’s effects on the lunar landscape were critical to the success of the Apollo 11 mission. In her extensive career as an astrophysicist, Eryurt studied the properties and evolution of the Sun. Dilhan Eryurt was among the astronomers and scientists responsible for Apollo 11, and for her efforts was given the Apollo Achievement Award later that year.ĭilhan Eryurt, born in Turkey in 1926, discovered an interest in mathematics and a passion for astronomy which was nurtured in her university years. On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to step foot on the moon, but that “giant leap for mankind” was made possible by the efforts of countless individuals. Today’s Google Doodle celebrates the 51st anniversary of the moon landing by honoring Dilhan Eryurt, one of the scientists responsible for Apollo 11.